A $37 billion program to modernize America's air traffic control system, and "transform global aviation" is "way behind schedule and over budget," reports Ashley Halsey III.
A House subcommittee was the setting for the release of the bad news last week by Calvin L. Scovel III, inspector general for the
Department of Transportation. According to Halsey, Scovel told the committee that, "Software problems have put the multi-billion dollar En Route Automation
Modernization (ERAM) program four years behind schedule and $330 million
over budget."
ERAM is the cornerstone of, "the biggest aviation investment in U.S. history, the revolutionary Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen)."
"With the volume of air traffic projected to almost double during the next two decades, NextGen
would replace radar tracking with Global Positioning Satellites (GPS),
allow more direct routing that would save time and fuel, and provide
pilots and controllers with more precise data about the distance of one
plane from another," notes Halsey.
"We view NextGen as one of the most important
infrastructure investments for our nation," John D. Porcari, deputy
secretary of transportation, told the House panel. "This is a system of
systems, so it's very complex implementation. This [also] is a U.S.
technological leadership issue."
FULL STORY: NextGen air traffic control system behind schedule and over budget
Infrastructure Week Begins With Air Traffic Control Modernization
Infrastructure Week 2017 kicked-off Monday with the announcement that the president plans to privatize air traffic control. It won't be the first attempt at modernizing the antiquated system. Additional events planned Wednesday through Friday.
Leveraging Holistic Platforms For Urban Mobility Solutions
How a ‘control tower’ approach can improve mobility and reduce congestion and emissions.
NextGen Bus Plan Approved in Los Angeles
Major changes are coming to the Metro bus system in the nation's second largest city. After three years of planning and public feedback, the Metro board has approved the NextGen bus plan.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service