Stochastic Hybrid Systems: Theory and Safety Critical Applications

Stochastic hybrid systems involve the coupling of discrete (logic based), continuous and probabilistic phenomena. Because of their versatility and generality, methods for modelling and analysis of stochastic hybrid systems have proved invaluable in a wide range of applications, including finance, air traffic control, biology, telecommunications, and embedded systems. Success stories in these application areas have made stochastic hybrid systems a very important, rapidly growing and dynamic research field since the beginning of the century, bridging the gap between stochastic analysis, computer science and control engineering. This volume presents a number of fundamental theoretical advances in the area of stochastic hybrid systems, motivated primarily from applications to air traffic management. Air traffic is arguably the most challenging application area for stochastic hybrid systems, since it requires handling complex distributed systems, multiple human in the loop elements and hybrid dynamics. The editors have collected key contributions, which define the state-of-the-art, present novel directions, and highlight emerging application areas.