The Future Of Air Traffic Control Modernization

Automation in air traffic control may increase efficiency, but it also raises questions about adequate human control over automated systems. Following on the panel's first volume on air traffic control automation, Flight to the Future (NRC, 1997), this book focuses on the interaction of pilots and air traffic controllers, with a growing network of automated functions in the airspace system. The panel offers recommendations for development of human-centered automation, addressing key areas such as providing levels of automation that are appropriate to levels of risk, examining procedures for recovery from emergencies, free flight versus ground-based authority, and more. The book explores ways in which technology can build on human strengths and compensate for human vulnerabilities, minimizing both mistrust of automation and complacency about its abilities. The panel presents an overview of emerging technologies and trends toward automation within the national airspace systemâ€"in areas such as global positioning and other aspects of surveillance, flight information provided to pilots an controllers, collision avoidance, strategic long-term planning, and systems for training and maintenance. The book examines how to achieve better integration of research and development, including the importance of user involvement in air traffic control. It also discusses how to harmonize the wide range of functions in the national airspace system, with a detailed review of the free flight initiative.

The Next Generation Air Transportation System's (NextGen) goal is the transformation of the U.S. national airspace system through programs and initiatives that could make it possible to shorten routes, navigate better around weather, save time and fuel, reduce delays, and improve capabilities for monitoring and managing of aircraft. A Review of the Next Generation Air Transportation provides an overview of NextGen and examines the technical activities, including human-system design and testing, organizational design, and other safety and human factor aspects of the system, that will be necessary to successfully transition current and planned modernization programs to the future system. This report assesses technical, cost, and schedule risk for the software development that will be necessary to achieve the expected benefits from a highly automated air traffic management system and the implications for ongoing modernization projects. The recommendations of this report will help the Federal Aviation Administration anticipate and respond to the challenges of implementing NextGen.

The Fed. Aviation Admin. began to modernize the ATC system in 1981 under a 10-year $12 billion program that comprised 80 projects. In 1991, the modernization effort was redefined incorporating the original projects and about 150 additional ones. Currently, the program is estimated to cost $32.8 billion through the year 2000 and will require an additional $1.3 billion for 2001. This report provides information on the status of modernization of the ATC system. Also contains information on overall costs of air traffic control modernization. Tables.

Senate hearing on the modernization program of the air traffic control system, which has taken more than 15 years and consumed many billions of dollars. Witnesses: Senators Richard H. Bryan, Wendel H. Ford, Slade Gorton, and John McCain; Phil Boyer, pres., Aircraft Owner's and Pilots Assoc. (AOPA) Legislative Action; Gerald L. Dillingham, Ph.D., Associate Director, Transportation Issues, Resources, Community, and Economic Development Div., General Accounting Office; Jane Garvey, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); and Margaret T. Jenny, director, airline business and operations analysis, U.S. Airways.