Measuring the impact of traffic flow management on interarrival duration: An application of autoregressive conditional duration

The Federal Aviation Administration has several tools in its arsenal to manage traffic flows. However, it is very difficult to assess with certainty the impact of traffic flow management procedures such as Time-Based Flow Management (TBFM) or Traffic Management Initiatives (TMI) on airport performance because operational data are not readily available to analysts. This study uses the case of Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) where traffic flow management procedures have been implemented to manage a reduction of airport capacity due to runway constructions. Based on an Autoregressive Conditional Duration (ACD) model, the analysis shows that the use of traffic flow management procedures contributed to reducing the volatility of interarrival duration whether separation relies on time-metering (TBFM) or distance between aircraft (TMI). The lessons learned from this case study may have important implications for airports whose available capacity is severely constrained.