AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL. COMPUTER CAPACITY SHORTFALLS MAY IMPAIR FLIGHT SAFETY
An evaluation was made of the capacity of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) computer systems to determine whether they can accommodate planned safety enhancements. It was found that existing computer capacity shortfalls at some large, busy TRACONS are impairing controllers' ability to maintain safe separation of aircraft. Many TRACONS reported that they had experienced instances of aircraft position and identification information disappearing from controllers' displays, data flickering on the displays, and computer responses to controllers' attempts to update or request data being delayed. Additional work load requirements resulting from the expanded Mode C requirement now threaten to exacerbate the capacity problems experienced by busy TRACONS. FAA plans to buy additional capacity to address exiting shortfalls and meet future requirements. However, due to its lack of a computer capacity managemnet program, FAA does not know if this action will remedy problems because it has not adequately analyzed current work loads or determined future requirements.
- Record URL:
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Supplemental Notes:
- Report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on Transportation and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate.
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Corporate Authors:
U.S. General Accounting Office
441 G Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20548 - Publication Date: 1989-7
Media Info
- Features: Appendices;
- Pagination: 26 p.
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Air traffic control; Approach control; Computers; Radar air traffic control; Safety; Terminal air traffic control; Workload
- Uncontrolled Terms: Capacity
- Old TRIS Terms: Terminal radar approach control facilities
- Subject Areas: Aviation; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00486238
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: GAO/IMTEC-89-63
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Aug 31 1989 12:00AM