FAA Launches $875 Million AI Air Traffic Program to Ease Controller Shortage
Updated
Updated · TechCrunch · Sep 17
FAA Launches $875 Million AI Air Traffic Program to Ease Controller Shortage
2 articles · Updated · TechCrunch · Sep 17
Summary
$875 million over 12 years will fund Smart, an AI-driven FAA platform that will launch soon in the Washington, D.C., area before expanding nationwide.
Smart analyzes airline schedules, weather, airport capacity, airspace conditions and other constraints to predict traffic flows and flag conflicts before they occur.
The FAA is turning to the software as it struggles with a nationwide air traffic controller shortage that has strained operations.
The rollout adds to a broader FAA push that already includes a new hiring plan and a wider effort to modernize aging U.S. air traffic systems.