The Federal Aviation Administrator (FAA) recently unveiled a tool that centralizes 200 data streams into one platform.
The Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes and Trajectories (SMART) tool is an artificial intelligence-supported system that takes a variety of data, including flight paths, traffic flow, weather patterns, and controller staffing metrics, and provides a visualization of where planes are going, how much traffic the system can handle, and where congestion or weather could cause challenges.
The system is built to move the FAA from a reactive approach to a predictive one by allowing the agency to anticipate airspace constraints, demand and weather. Benefits include more efficient routing around bad weather and congestion, fewer delays and cancellations, reduced staff overtime, lower operating costs, and less fuel waste.
“Combining SMART with our ongoing hardware upgrades gives us the tools to cut flight delays, optimize traffic, and keep airspace capacity across the country open–all while maintaining our gold standard of safety,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said.
SMART was deployed in a limited mode today in the airspace around Washington, D.C., on Monday. It will gradually roll out nationwide.
SMART is not intended to replace air traffic controllers or control of aircraft. FAA staff review all recommendations.