Mapping a multilayer air transport network with the integration of airway, route, and flight network

Abstract

This paper develops a mapping approach to explore the relationship between different layers of a multilayer air transport network composed of airway, route, and flight network. A two-step methodology is adopted to investigate the hierarchical structure and mapping relationship of the integrated network. First, the relationship between airway and route network is characterized by a multisource multisink shortest path method based on a generalized incidence matrix. Second, the relationship between route and flight network is formulated by a two-dimension array. A case study of an en route airspace in Lanzhou air traffic control area in China verifies the feasibility of the proposed two-step methodology.