Early Prediction of Emergent Airspace Inefficiencies

Metron and its subcontractor Metron Aviation propose to develop software to monitor the collective set of aircraft in the airspace to identify the need for Traffic Management Initiatives (TMIs) earlier than current methods. This will lead to improvements in the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS). We will train an innovative neural network focused on monitoring flights in the Northeastern US to identify and predict inefficient airspace states. This information can cue air traffic controllers and managers to specific issues that can be corrected to avoid larger, more systemic issues. As Trajectory Based Operations (TBO) technologies mature, they can also consume this information to appropriately route specific aircraft. Ultimately, our software will help bridge the gap between the tactical maneuvers of air traffic control and the strategic effects of air traffic management. Our approach leverages our familiarity with the relevant data and prior work on related neural networks.