Concept for an automated Detection of Conflicts in UAS Traffic Management

Since January 26, 2023, the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/664 applies in the European Union, with the help of which a legal basis has been created for the first time for the integration of the steadily increasing UAS traffic into the existing airspace via a so-called U-space. As the success of this approach stands and falls with acceptance by the public, it is essential that safe solutions are created. Therefore, UAS operators are now legally required to submit a UAS flight authorization request with the intended 4D trajectory prior to their flight and only if no spatial and temporal overlaps are detected, for example with other flight plans or no-fly zones, UAS operations may take place in U-space airspace. To this end, this paper presents a concept for legally compliant conflict detection that addresses both newly submitted UAS flight authorization requests and previously authorized requests. Finally, this concept is validated by means of a simulation. The results show that it is possible to detect all conflicts before the planned departure of an UAS in accordance with the legal basis. The modular design also makes it possible to make simple adjustments to the developed concept with regard to possible legal adjustments in this young research field.