The FAA’s plan to fix air traffic? $875 million worth of AI
A new AI-based software program is being launched to help air traffic controllers better navigate their jobs as the crossing guards of America's skies.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is grappling with a nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers. However, the government is actively seeking innovative solutions to this issue. According to the Wall Street Journal, the FAA is set to launch an $875 million AI software program called Smart, designed to assist air traffic controllers in managing their workflows and navigating flight routes more safely.
Smart, short for Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes and Trajectories, is an automated system intended to streamline air traffic operations. It functions as a cloud-based platform that enhances existing FAA air traffic management systems. The software leverages artificial intelligence to analyze various factors such as airline schedules, weather conditions, airport capacity, airspace circumstances, and operational constraints.
By doing so, Smart predicts traffic flows and identifies potential conflicts before they arise. Developed by a company named Air Space Intelligence, the implementation of Smart will cost the government approximately $875 million over a span of 12 years. Initially, the software will be rolled out in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area before being expanded to other regions.
In addition to the Smart program, the FAA has recently announced a "bold, new" hiring plan aimed at eradicating the longstanding staffing shortage. Furthermore, the government is concurrently engaged in a comprehensive effort to modernize the nation's aging air traffic systems.
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