MSc Engineering Management (Online)

MSc Engineering Operations Management (online) MSc in Advanced Manufacturing Systems (Online)

MSc in Advanced Manufacturing Systems and Technologies (online)

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically evaluate and implement principles of systems approach and analysis.

1. Describe, critically evaluate and appropriately apply manufacturing concepts to real world industrial systems and to design, plan and solve arising problems that day-to-day management of such systems encounter.

1. Develop the required skills for modelling, simulating and critically analysing performance of deterministic and stochastic systems.

1. Acquire the skills to recognise the elements and rules governing supply chains/logistics and reverse logistics for better management and engineering of these systems.

1. Apply key tools and techniques for planning and critically evaluating the design of enterprise systems

1. Modelling of interactions and negotiations between components of enterprise systems

1. Demonstrate integrated modelling of key processes within manufacturing systems

1. Use simulation and optimisation techniques to identify improvements for Enterprise integration

1. Preparation of written reports

1. Critically evaluate a range of complex scenarios and make informed decisions.

1. Exercise a high level of initiative and personal responsibility

Each year, the assignment for the Systems Modelling and Simulation module explores a new theme. In previous years, themes have included healthcare, banking services, manufacturing, and logistics. This year, the focus is on airport operations management. This variety demonstrates how the core principles of the subject can be applied to different fields with similar performance indicators. We hope you enjoy this year`s assignment!

Aircraft arrive at the airport with an exponentially distributed time between arrivals, with a mean (λ) of 15 minutes.

Upon arrival, planes wait in the air for a signal from the control tower indicating that it is safe to land. It is essential that the landing runway is available and clear; otherwise, planes must continue to circle until they receive permission to land. The airport operates two runways—one dedicated to landings and the other for take-offs.

Upon allocation of the runway, the aircraft lands, the process of landing and clearing the runway follows a Triangular distribution of TRIA (15,15,20) minutes.

The taxi time between runways and terminal gates follows an Exponential distribution with a mean (λ) of 10 minutes. The passengers and luggage unloading delay time from the aircraft, follows an Exponential distribution of λ = 15minutes.

From the total number of all arriving flights at the airport, 30% go to Terminals 1, Terminal 2 takes 20%, and Terminals 3 and 4 each take 25%. Each terminal has a capacity of 5 identical gates.

Aircraft departures also follow the Exponential distribution of λ =17 minutes. The ratio of aircraft departure from each terminal is the same as arrivals (i.e., T1: 30%, T2: 20%, T3: 25%, and T4: 25%).

The loading time for all departing aircraft at each terminal follows an Exponential

distribution with λ = 10 minutes.

For take-off, the aircraft first taxis to the runway, which takes an Exponential distribution time with a mean of 10 minutes. Once positioned, the process of runway allocation, preparing for departure, and taking off follows a Triangular distribution of TRIA (5,10,15) minutes.

The runway maintenance team plays a crucial role in airport safety by inspecting and clearing the runways of any potential hazards, such as debris, loose materials, or wildlife that could interfere with take-off and landing. As part of the airport’s safety protocol, both runways are temporarily closed during each inspection, which takes place every 5.5 hours. These inspections typically last about 10 minutes, following

a Normal distribution with a mean duration (μ) of 10 minutes and a standard deviation (σ) of 3 minutes. The mean time between failures is carefully managed according to the wait rule, ensuring that maintenance intervals align with operational demands while prioritizing runway safety.

In this assignment, please ignore passenger check-ins and similar processes. This is due to limitations on the number of entities allowed in the student version of the Arena software.

1. Develop a simulation model with appropriate animations of the airport operation system focusing on the use of the runways. Simulate the airport operation for 24 hrs cycle times (simulation time) and replicate for 10 times without initiating system.

1. On average, what percentage of the time are the runways in the idle or busy state?

1. Discuss the Utilisation of each Runway and Terminals on daily basis during the simulation run.

1. Display the WIP for arriving planes, departing planes and the total WIP on one plot over a simulated time of 24 hrs (for each simulation run). Do not initialize the statistics between your simulation runs.

1. Assuming the Level of Sound Exposure from each aircraft is given by a triangular distribution with values 50, 60 and 100 decibels, display on a plot, over a simulated time of 24 hrs, the total number of aircraft in process that have a sound level above a specified threshold of 85 decibels. [Hint: You need to look at the WIP, also assign sound levels to airplanes when they are created]
2. Assuming some of the departure aircraft (5 percent) require emergency landing due to technical problem so they have priority in the queue. Please add this to your model and design and record the total number of aircraft in process that have an emergency landing.

1. Write a report that explains your modelling approach and process, explaining how key concepts such as waiting for signal from the control tower were modelled.

1. Discuss the results of your simulation with regard to key performance factors: runway and terminal utilisation, WIP, noise pollution, waiting times and queues both in the air and on the ground to access terminals. Conduct statistical validation and verification of the results and how you achieve the necessary levels of confidence in the outputs.

1. Offer suggestions of how to improve the performance of the airport with respect to the key performance indicators: runway and terminal utilisation, WIP, noise pollution, waiting times and queues both in the air and on the ground to access terminals.

Your suggestions should be simulated, and results compared to the original model.

1. The airport management wishes to double the number of aircraft that arrive and depart from the airport. Offer suggestions on how this could be possible with respect to maintaining or minimising the emission levels. Discuss your various suggestions by creating simulation models and comparing the results with one another.

Part B: Feasibility Study for a Third Runway

Part B requires a feasibility analysis for constructing a third runway that will support both landings and take- offs. This analysis will focus on financial, operational, and environmental management considerations.

Requirements:

1. Runway Proposal Simulation: Simulate the integration of a third, dual-purpose runway, evaluating its impact on airport operations, including runway utilization, queue times, and overall efficiency.
2. Cost and Feasibility Analysis: Conduct a detailed financial analysis that includes, use arbitrary figures for costs:

• Estimated construction costs and long-term maintenance expenses.
  • Environmental assessments, focusing on noise levels, emissions, and other sustainability factors.
  • A comprehensive cost management plan, integrating strategies for minimizing both financial and environmental impacts. Research into emissions and noise levels from the internet, and use values for pollution emissions and noise for a single type of aircraft (e.g. Airbus Neo or Boeing 737 Max)

1. Research Component: Investigate similar airport expansion projects, focusing on effective management approaches that balance cost, environmental sustainability, and operational efficiency.
2. Report: Present findings in a clear, concise report that includes:

• A financial plan with accurate cost projections and ROI estimates.
• An assessment of environmental impacts and mitigation strategies.
• Recommendations based on simulation results and research insights.

Use Run conditions defined as: Warm-up Period = 1 hours, Replication Length = 24 hours, and Number of Replication = 10. The system requires initialisation between replications, but statistics should not be initialised.

Hint: Create arrivals and departures separately. But make sure you dispose the aircraft after unloading for arrivals and after take-off for departing aircraft.

Please enclose a printout of the Arena’s final Summary Report (*.out) for each part of the assignment as an appendix to your report. The summary report is automatically generated by Arena in the same directory that you run and compile your model.

NOTE: Follow University guideline on submission of your work and ensure you select the correct format of files. Your report, Arena models (*.doe), *.Output file should all be submitted. Ensure if you are zipping files, the University system allows you to do so. Failing to submit the requested information and files will result into Fail.

Part of the allocated mark for each part is for intuitive modelling approach, design, animation, and presentation of the simulation models and the report. The value and the results need to be interpreted and explained. The suggestions for improvement to the system should be appropriately articulated and simulated with results and validation and verification statistically.

Ensure that you follow the assignment guidelines for submission which is available on:

http://people.brunel.ac.uk/~emstaam/

Click on Teaching àSystems Modelling and Simulation à Assignment and Project submission guidelines

Submission deadline: 11:59 am UK time Thursday, 1^st May 2025

Submission Method: via the WISEflow platform

Late submission rules: as per the University’s policy Relevant Programme regulation: Senate Regulations 3 Marking criteria: attached (Annex I)

Provisional Grade Release: 29^th May 2025

  Systems and Modelling Simulation

MARK SCHEME 

Annex I: Brunel University Generic Masters-level Grade Descriptors

These generic grade descriptors are intended to be used as a tool throughout the assessment process (in assessment design, marking/grading, moderation, feedback and appraisal) for any assessment set at Masters Level in the University. They are designed to show no disciplinary bias and are not intended to act as surrogate award or award classification descriptors. The grade descriptors should be read in conjunction with the learning outcomes associated with the assessment.

Grade A++

Work of exceptionally high quality, commensurate with publication in a highly esteemed peer- reviewed journal. Clearly demonstrates a sophisticated, critical and thorough understanding of the topic. Provides clear evidence of originality and clearly demonstrates the ability to develop an independent, highly systematic and logical or insightful argument or evaluation.

Demonstrates exceptional ability in the appropriate use of the relevant literature, theory, methodologies, practices, tools, etc., to analyse and synthesise at Masters Level. Shows exceptional clarity, focus and cogency in communication.

Grade Band A (A+, A, A-)

Clearly demonstrates a sophisticated, critical and thorough understanding of the topic. Provides evidence of originality of thought and clearly demonstrates the ability to develop an independent, highly systematic and logical or insightful argument or evaluation. Demonstrates excellence in the appropriate use of the relevant literature, theory, methodologies, practices, tools, etc., to analyse and synthesise at Masters Level. Shows excellent clarity, focus and cogency in communication.

Grade Band B (B+, B, B-)

Clearly demonstrates a well-developed, critical and comprehensive understanding of the topic. Clearly demonstrates the ability to develop an independent, systematic and logical or insightful argument or evaluation. Demonstrates a high degree of competence in the appropriate use of the relevant literature, theory, methodologies, practices, tools, etc., to analyse and synthesise at Masters Level. Shows a high level of clarity, focus and cogency in communication.

Grade Band C (C+, C, C-)

Demonstrates a critical and substantial understanding of the topic. Demonstrates the ability to develop an independent, systematic and logical or insightful argument or evaluation.

Demonstrates a significant degree of competence in the appropriate use of the relevant literature, theory, methodologies, practices, tools, etc., to analyse and synthesise at Masters Level. Provides evidence of clarity, focus and cogency in communication.

Grade Band D (D+, D, D-)

Provides evidence of some critical understanding of the topic. Demonstrates some ability to develop a structured argument or evaluation. Demonstrates an acceptable degree of competence in the appropriate use of the relevant literature, theory, methodologies, practices, tools, etc., to analyse and synthesise, but not at Masters Level. Provides evidence of effective communication.

Grade Band E (E+, E, E-)

Work that demonstrates significant weaknesses, but which provides strong evidence that Grade D is within the reach of the student.

Grade F