Concept for Next Generation Air Traffic Control System

The next generation air traffic control system must achieve a large increase in capacity and throughput while improving efficiency and safety. This paper describes the Automated Airspace concept that has the potential to achieve these objectives. A ground-based component, the Automated Airspace Computer System (AACS), will generate efficient and conflict-free traffic clearances and associated trajectories and send them directly to the aircraft via data link. Another ground-based component, the Tactical Separation Assisted Flight Environment (TSAFE), will provide a safety net to ensure that safe separations are maintained in the event of failures in the AACS or in certain on-board systems. TSAFE will independently monitor the clearances and trajectories sent by the AACS to each equipped aircraft, monitor aircraft conformance to those trajectories, and issue warning and resolution advisories to pilots and controllers when appropriate. Because the Automated Airspace concept will reduce controller workload associated with tactical problem solving, controllers will be able safely to shift their focus to more strategic problems, such as traffic flow management and pilot requests. TSAFE also has application in the current air traffic control system as an improved controller tool for detecting near-term conflicts and reducing the potential for operational errors. Changes in controller and pilot responsibilities for operations in Automated Airspace are outlined.