Aviation under control with optimal and safe flight planning
Air Traffic Control the Netherlands
Aviation under control with optimal and safe flight planning
Air Traffic Control the Netherlands
Aviation under control with optimal and safe flight planning
Air Traffic Control the Netherlands
In the dynamic world of air traffic control, quick and well-considered decisions are crucial for safety. Our team was tasked with improving the decision-making process for Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL). By using research, strategic design, and focusing on end-users, we have simplified this complex task, resulting in a safer airspace, fewer delays, and 30 to 40% better predictions.
In the dynamic world of air traffic control, quick and well-considered decisions are crucial for safety. Our team was tasked with improving the decision-making process for Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL). By using research, strategic design, and focusing on end-users, we have simplified this complex task, resulting in a safer airspace, fewer delays, and 30 to 40% better predictions.
In the dynamic world of air traffic control, quick and well-considered decisions are crucial for safety. Our team was tasked with improving the decision-making process for Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL). By using research, strategic design, and focusing on end-users, we have simplified this complex task, resulting in a safer airspace, fewer delays, and 30 to 40% better predictions.
A complex puzzle with time constraints and many factors
Every minute, new aircraft enter our airspace. Sometimes they are on time, sometimes delayed, and often heading to Schiphol. To ensure everything runs safely and efficiently, LVNL controllers solve a complex puzzle. There's an immense amount of data available to ensure that planning proceeds safely and efficiently. Controllers can open or close runways, delay aircraft, or prioritize them. Our task: designing the Decision Support Tool (DST) that helps them make quicker, simpler, and more confident decisions.
A complex puzzle with time constraints and many factors
Every minute, new aircraft enter our airspace. Sometimes they are on time, sometimes delayed, and often heading to Schiphol. To ensure everything runs safely and efficiently, LVNL controllers solve a complex puzzle. There's an immense amount of data available to ensure that planning proceeds safely and efficiently. Controllers can open or close runways, delay aircraft, or prioritize them. Our task: designing the Decision Support Tool (DST) that helps them make quicker, simpler, and more confident decisions.
A complex puzzle with time constraints and many factors
Every minute, new aircraft enter our airspace. Sometimes they are on time, sometimes delayed, and often heading to Schiphol. To ensure everything runs safely and efficiently, LVNL controllers solve a complex puzzle. There's an immense amount of data available to ensure that planning proceeds safely and efficiently. Controllers can open or close runways, delay aircraft, or prioritize them. Our task: designing the Decision Support Tool (DST) that helps them make quicker, simpler, and more confident decisions.
Overview at the highest level
During our research, we discovered that being able to foresee when our airspace might become too congested well in advance can be very beneficial. If aircraft are not properly delayed or spaced, the workload of coordinating can become dangerously high. We designed an additional screen, a heatmap, which makes future issues immediately visible. This allows controllers to identify bottlenecks at a glance and then zoom in on the details.
Overview at the highest level
During our research, we discovered that being able to foresee when our airspace might become too congested well in advance can be very beneficial. If aircraft are not properly delayed or spaced, the workload of coordinating can become dangerously high. We designed an additional screen, a heatmap, which makes future issues immediately visible. This allows controllers to identify bottlenecks at a glance and then zoom in on the details.
Overview at the highest level
During our research, we discovered that being able to foresee when our airspace might become too congested well in advance can be very beneficial. If aircraft are not properly delayed or spaced, the workload of coordinating can become dangerously high. We designed an additional screen, a heatmap, which makes future issues immediately visible. This allows controllers to identify bottlenecks at a glance and then zoom in on the details.
Gain more control with smart simulations
The tool offers the option to run simulations to come up with the ideal aviation plan. This way, you can see the impact of any action or weather change on the planning. The simple and intuitive design allowed controllers to make complex decisions more easily. The clarity of the design and real-time updates increased accuracy, enabling better management of air traffic and smoother operations.
Gain more control with smart simulations
The tool offers the option to run simulations to come up with the ideal aviation plan. This way, you can see the impact of any action or weather change on the planning. The simple and intuitive design allowed controllers to make complex decisions more easily. The clarity of the design and real-time updates increased accuracy, enabling better management of air traffic and smoother operations.
Gain more control with smart simulations
The tool offers the option to run simulations to come up with the ideal aviation plan. This way, you can see the impact of any action or weather change on the planning. The simple and intuitive design allowed controllers to make complex decisions more easily. The clarity of the design and real-time updates increased accuracy, enabling better management of air traffic and smoother operations.
“With DST, LVNL predicts 30-40% better than the European Network Manager"
Yoram Obbens, project leader at Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL),
“With DST, LVNL predicts 30-40% better than the European Network Manager"
Yoram Obbens, project leader at Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL),
“With DST, LVNL predicts 30-40% better than the European Network Manager"
Yoram Obbens, project leader at Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL),
Explore, visualize, improve
During the project, we explored various visualizations. Airplanes pass through several zones, or 'stacks', before landing. To help visualize this flow and the congestion in each zone, we designed a colorful diagram. We also experimented with a new interaction concept to simulate weather changes. Not everything made it to the final version, but that's the true strength of design: daring to try and letting go.
Explore, visualize, improve
During the project, we explored various visualizations. Airplanes pass through several zones, or 'stacks', before landing. To help visualize this flow and the congestion in each zone, we designed a colorful diagram. We also experimented with a new interaction concept to simulate weather changes. Not everything made it to the final version, but that's the true strength of design: daring to try and letting go.
Explore, visualize, improve
During the project, we explored various visualizations. Airplanes pass through several zones, or 'stacks', before landing. To help visualize this flow and the congestion in each zone, we designed a colorful diagram. We also experimented with a new interaction concept to simulate weather changes. Not everything made it to the final version, but that's the true strength of design: daring to try and letting go.
M.A.S.E.R. as the foundation for data-driven decisions
We developed the application around five core steps: Monitoring, Analyzing, Simulating, Executing, and Reporting. This model assists users in data-driven decision-making by presenting information clearly and guiding them smoothly through each step of the process. This way, they can make informed and confident decisions at any given moment.
M.A.S.E.R. as the foundation for data-driven decisions
We developed the application around five core steps: Monitoring, Analyzing, Simulating, Executing, and Reporting. This model assists users in data-driven decision-making by presenting information clearly and guiding them smoothly through each step of the process. This way, they can make informed and confident decisions at any given moment.
M.A.S.E.R. as the foundation for data-driven decisions
We developed the application around five core steps: Monitoring, Analyzing, Simulating, Executing, and Reporting. This model assists users in data-driven decision-making by presenting information clearly and guiding them smoothly through each step of the process. This way, they can make informed and confident decisions at any given moment.
Complex workflows require clear documentation
The application includes many small yet crucial micro-interactions. Therefore, it was especially important to document these in detail. We provided pages filled with detailed snippets and clear explanations to ensure that all workflows and interactions would seamlessly integrate with the controllers' way of working.
Complex workflows require clear documentation
The application includes many small yet crucial micro-interactions. Therefore, it was especially important to document these in detail. We provided pages filled with detailed snippets and clear explanations to ensure that all workflows and interactions would seamlessly integrate with the controllers' way of working.
Complex workflows require clear documentation
The application includes many small yet crucial micro-interactions. Therefore, it was especially important to document these in detail. We provided pages filled with detailed snippets and clear explanations to ensure that all workflows and interactions would seamlessly integrate with the controllers' way of working.
Extensively tested and further developed
Our design was thoroughly tested by the controllers to perfectly fit their decision-making process. Continuous feedback loops allowed us to keep refining the design, resulting in a tailored solution for their specific needs.
Extensively tested and further developed
Our design was thoroughly tested by the controllers to perfectly fit their decision-making process. Continuous feedback loops allowed us to keep refining the design, resulting in a tailored solution for their specific needs.
Extensively tested and further developed
Our design was thoroughly tested by the controllers to perfectly fit their decision-making process. Continuous feedback loops allowed us to keep refining the design, resulting in a tailored solution for their specific needs.
Close contact with the end users
To achieve this design, it was crucial to understand all the details of the air traffic controllers' work. We closely collaborated with them to comprehend their workflows, challenges, and needs. Every design decision is based on the controllers' input or feedback, ensuring the design perfectly aligns with their requirements.
Close contact with the end users
To achieve this design, it was crucial to understand all the details of the air traffic controllers' work. We closely collaborated with them to comprehend their workflows, challenges, and needs. Every design decision is based on the controllers' input or feedback, ensuring the design perfectly aligns with their requirements.
Close contact with the end users
To achieve this design, it was crucial to understand all the details of the air traffic controllers' work. We closely collaborated with them to comprehend their workflows, challenges, and needs. Every design decision is based on the controllers' input or feedback, ensuring the design perfectly aligns with their requirements.
Faster, better decisions with fewer delays
The end users were very satisfied with the new tool. Decision-making is faster, allowing them to respond more efficiently without compromising safety. This improved air traffic management and boosted their confidence. By simplifying complexity and increasing efficiency, delays decreased by 30% after six months. After going live, LVNL came back to us with a new challenge: scheduling the controllers themselves.
Faster, better decisions with fewer delays
The end users were very satisfied with the new tool. Decision-making is faster, allowing them to respond more efficiently without compromising safety. This improved air traffic management and boosted their confidence. By simplifying complexity and increasing efficiency, delays decreased by 30% after six months. After going live, LVNL came back to us with a new challenge: scheduling the controllers themselves.
Faster, better decisions with fewer delays
The end users were very satisfied with the new tool. Decision-making is faster, allowing them to respond more efficiently without compromising safety. This improved air traffic management and boosted their confidence. By simplifying complexity and increasing efficiency, delays decreased by 30% after six months. After going live, LVNL came back to us with a new challenge: scheduling the controllers themselves.
Nominated for a DIA award
This project was nominated for a Dutch Interactive Award in 2025 in the category of Artificial Intelligence.
Nominated for a DIA award
This project was nominated for a Dutch Interactive Award in 2025 in the category of Artificial Intelligence.
Nominated for a DIA award
This project was nominated for a Dutch Interactive Award in 2025 in the category of Artificial Intelligence.
“Together with Okapion, we're truly breaking new ground.”
Yoram Obbens, project leader at Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL),
“Together with Okapion, we're truly breaking new ground.”
Yoram Obbens, project leader at Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL),
“Together with Okapion, we're truly breaking new ground.”
Yoram Obbens, project leader at Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL),
Nieuwsgierig geworden?
You can always call us or schedule a casual meeting with Eelco. We are happy to discuss what we can do for you!
Nieuwsgierig geworden?
You can always call us or schedule a casual meeting with Eelco. We are happy to discuss what we can do for you!
Nieuwsgierig geworden?
You can always call us or schedule a casual meeting with Eelco. We are happy to discuss what we can do for you!
Get in Touch
Kantoor
Noordsingel 117
3035 EM
Rotterdam
Get in Touch
Kantoor
Noordsingel 117
3035 EM
Rotterdam
Get in Touch
Kantoor
Noordsingel 117
3035 EM
Rotterdam