The Federal Aviation Administration is preparing to introduce an artificial intelligence tool designed to assist air traffic controllers in managing congestion over the Washington, DC, airspace. This initiative represents the initial phase of a broader strategy to eventually deploy the technology across the 29 million square miles of US national airspace regulated by the agency.
Known as SMART, the system utilizes AI models to forecast air traffic patterns and detect potential conflicts by analyzing operational variables such as meteorological conditions, airline timetables, airport capacity limits, and airspace status. According to government and industry sources speaking to The Wall Street Journal, the system could become operational at the three major airports in the Washington, DC, region as early as Monday, September 21.
Philip Mann, a principal consultant at Vector Strategic Consulting LLC, endorsed the decision to implement SMART on a limited basis before expanding it nationally. Mann, who previously held multiple roles within the FAA during a 17-year career, specializes in aviation safety and AI governance.
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