From Ars Technica · · 1m 50s
FAA deploys AI across US airspace to cut flight delays
The Federal Aviation Administration is rolling out its SMART system nationwide to help air traffic controllers manage congestion, but the union representing controllers says it was excluded from development.
In brief
The Federal Aviation Administration is rolling out its SMART system nationwide to help air traffic controllers manage congestion, but the union representing controllers says it was excluded from development. The FAA expanded its AI-powered SMART system to all 22 air traffic control centers nationwide after early…
Eight hundred seventy five million dollar system expands nationwide
The Federal Aviation Administration has expanded its SMART system to all twenty two air traffic control centers across the country. The eight hundred seventy five million dollar cloud-based tool helps manage congestion nationwide.
Initial rollout in DC showed strong results
The SMART system was implemented in airspace over Washington, DC on September twenty-first. It rerouted one hundred eighty flights, saving an average of ten minutes per flight and almost eighty gallons of fuel per flight.
How SMART makes its recommendations
SMART combines information about weather patterns, flight paths, traffic flow and controller staffing metrics to predict air traffic patterns.It makes scheduling recommendations, identifies optimal flight routes and determines the best order of arrivals for aircraft.
Controllers retain final decision on recommendations
A human team of FAA specialists in DC validates SMART recommendations before sending them to air traffic control facilities. Local air traffic controllers can decide whether or not to accept the SMART system recommendations.
“cannot be used to replace the critical role air traffic controllers play or take over control of an aircraft”
Airlines support expansion, union objects
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian and American Airlines CEO Robert Isom voiced support for the rollout.
Expansion continues to additional control centers
Following the initial deployment in Washington, DC, the FAA expanded SMART coverage to air route traffic control centers in Atlanta and Jacksonville and Miami in Florida.
What it means
The FAA expanded its AI-powered SMART system to all 22 air traffic control centers nationwide after early success in Washington, DC, though controllers' union says it had no role in design or testing.
