AUTOMATION AND AIRPORT CAPACITY PROGRESS TO DATE

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is well aware of the problem of airport capacity limitations and congestion, and is anxious to help do something about it. They see three ways to get airport capacity: build new airports and new runways; increase the intrinsic capacity of the system itself; and manage the airspace-airport resources optimally. All three are tied together and need to be worked on now. One key to getting the most out of the system is the interchange of information, better information flow. The communications flow improvement will have to come through the use of data link. Data link is a unique innovation for ATC and was identified about 40 years ago. There are longer-term things that can be done in the area of information flow improvements, such as all-weather airport surface surveillance, guidance, and control. One of the most powerful tools for improving airport capacity and reducing the variability, both laterally and longitudinally, is MLS. ATC automation will be required to make full use of the 4-DRNAV capability in airplanes. There is the need for collection of accurate data on near-airport aircraft performance. Recent efforts have been made to determine what real automation would yield. The capacity increase comes to an overall bottom line somewhere between 16 and 20 percent.

• Record URL:
  https://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trcircular/325/325-008.pdf
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00978515
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appeared in Transportation Research Circular No. 325, Airport and Terminal-Area Operations of the Future, Report of a Special Meeting, National Academy of Sciences, October 7-8, 1986, Washington, D.C. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • PORITZKY, S B
• Publication Date: 1987-12

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Pagination: p. 32-35
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Circular
  • Issue Number: 325
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0097-8515

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air traffic control; Airports; Automation; Data collection; Data communications; Microwave landing systems; Performance; Traffic congestion
• Identifier Terms: U.S. Federal Aviation Administration
• Uncontrolled Terms: Capacity; Congestion; Data links
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Terminals and Facilities; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00465579
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Feb 29 1988 12:00AM