Assessing the Research and Development Plan for the Next Generation Air Transportation System. Summary of a Workshop

摘要

The U.S. aviation industry, airline passengers, aircraft pilots, airports, and airline companies are all facing challenges. The air transportation system is experiencing unprecedented and increasing levels of use, with air traffic expected to increase two- to threefold by 2025. The federal government understands the critical need to update the U.S. air transportation system and is taking steps to do so by planning for a new, satellite-based air traffic control system intended to increase the efficiency of airport and air space use in the United States. The Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) is an example of active networking technology that updates itself with real-time shared information and tailors itself to the individual needs of all U.S. aircraft. NextGens computerized air transportation network stresses adaptability by enabling aircraft to immediately adjust to ever-changing factors such as weather, traffic congestion, aircraft position via GPS, flight trajectory patterns, and security issues. By 2025, all aircraft and airports in U.S. airspace will be connected to the NextGen network and will continually share information in real time to improve efficiency, safety, and absorb the predicted increase in air transportation.