Opinion n°21 – Danger of interactions between uncoordinated automated systems

The case of independent automated safety systems of air traffic control and aircraft

This document is the result of work carried out by the Air and Space Academy (AAE).

It highlights the need to coordinate the interactions of automated systems that have been developed independently in two areas: the air traffic control (ATC) ground system, including its airport component, and the systems on board aircraft.

It is structured into four main sections:

• an introduction giving the background to developments in air traffic management functions;
• an analysis of the problems associated with safety devices developed separately at the ground ATC and aircraft levels;
• an update on SESAR, the European Commission’s research programme for improving ATM (Air Traffic Management);
• a set of recommendations applicable to ongoing activities in various research and deployment entities, including the SESAR programme.

The document focuses on safety system in three key areas, reducing mid-air collisions, collisions with terrain, and runway incursions in the airport area.

The purpose of this document is to emphasise the importance of establishing procedural and informational processes, linking ground-based ATC systems and airborne flight systems development from design to operation, to ensure their effectiveness and, above all, avoid dangerous inconsistencies.

This document is intended primarily for institutions and organisations involved in air navigation. These include: at the global level, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO); at the European level, the European Commission (DG-MOVE), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), SESAR-JU and Eurocontrol; and finally, at the American level, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).