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CRIDA Leads Successful SMARTS–PUZZLE Validation, 9–11 June 2025

June 9 @ 8:00 am - June 11 @ 5:00 pm
Objectives & Methodology:
From 9 to 11 June 2025, CRIDA conducted a three-day integrated validation of the SMARTS system and the PUZZLE decision-support prototype. In collaboration with NATS and ENAIRE FMPs and involving key technology partners (DLR, ENAC, and Lancaster University).
The exercise brought together cutting-edge technologies developed by European partners:
  • Traffic demand forecasting & flow clustering – DLR
  • Basic airspace volume design – ENAC
  • Sector topology modelling – ULAN
  • Sector configuration optimisationULAN
  • Integrated HMI/prototyping (PUZZLE) – CRIDA
These modules form a comprehensive decision-support chain designed to enable dynamic, demand-aware sector configurations for FMP-led shift planning. The exercise supports SMARTS’s mission to enhance airspace efficiency, sustainability, and controller experience.
Aligned with the SMARTS validation plan, the exercise was designed to validate the end-to-end integration of all system components and assess the operational performance of the SMARTS and PUZZLE prototype in realistic scenarios.
Over three days, the team simulated varied traffic flows and operational conditions, testing the system’s ability to propose workload-balanced, flow-aware sector configurations. Key parameters such as underload and overload weights and maximum open sectors were tuned to observe their impact on configuration outcomes.
The evaluation focused on performance metrics including sector configuration changesworkload distributioncomparison between baseline and optimized setups, and the need for demand regulation. Throughout the exercise, FMPs provided detailed operational feedback on system usability, HMI visualisation, and decision-support logic—essential input to guide future improvements.
Key Findings:
  • SMARTS successfully produced coherent, scenario-adaptive sector configurations across modules.
  • The PUZZLE HMI proved intuitive and effective, with valuable user suggestions identified for future enhancement.
  • Optimisation algorithms demonstrated robust adaptability, effectively managing workload and complexity.
  • Sector designs maintained strong alignment with traffic flows, supporting their operational feasibility.
  • FMP feedback reinforced confidence in SMARTS’s relevance and decision-support potential.
  • The exercise also highlighted opportunities for future development, such as enhanced visualisation (3D/maps), refined sector catalogue methods, cost/HR metrics inclusion, and scenario-specific sector design enhancements.
Next steps
Following this successful validation led by CRIDA, the SMARTS project will continue progressing toward higher maturity levels. Immediate efforts will focus on collaborating closely with EUROCONTROL, which is currently leading a complementary validation exercise. That activity aims to further assess the concept’s operational applicability through fast-time simulations.
The two exercises will feed into the development of the SMARTS TRL2 Validation Report (VALR), expected by November 2025. This report will consolidate technical findings, usability insights, and performance assessments to confirm the project’s readiness at TRL2.
Together, these exercises will not only finalise TRL2 validation but also identify priority areas for further research and system evolution in the future research, ensuring that the system continues to evolve in line with real-world needs and operational feedback.
The project remains firmly on track to deliver a dynamic, user-driven decision-support solution for the future of airspace management.

Details

Start:
June 9 @ 8:00 am
End:
June 11 @ 5:00 pm

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