Analysis of Terrain Collision Risk Using Flown Trajectory Data

초록

This paper presents the results of calculating Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) and Forward-Looking Terrain Avoidance (FLTA) alerts using recorded trajectory data to analyze terrain collision risk. The GPWS is a critical safety system that provides real-time advisory and mandatory warnings to the crew about proximity to terrain, typically preventing Controlled Flight Into Terrain accidents. This study extends the application of GPWS by using it to identify high-risk terrain collision areas. The five GPWS mode functions presented in RTCA-DO 161, and one FLTA function included in the Enhanced GPWS, are utilized to calculate terrain collision risks. The flight trajectory data are collected from the network of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast receivers operated by Inha University in the year 2022. The terrain data is derived from the Digital Elevation Model provided by the Korea National Geographic Information Institute. The GPWS and FLTA functions are redefined to suit the given set of data. After analyzing the terrain collision risk in Korea, two distinctive terrain feature and one airspace characteristics that causing the alerts are discovered. This approach offers crucial insights for enhancing aviation safety, improving situational awareness, and developing future strategies to better reduce terrain collision risks.