OEP Plan Reference Sheet TFM Modernization
Traffic Flow Management Modernization (TFM)
Flight Plan Goal #2 – Greater Capacity
Objective #2 – Increase reliability and on-time performance of scheduled carriers.
The FAA has identified this program as a “Contributor” program for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). The most direct alignment to a NextGen goal is Aircraft Trajectory Based Operations.
Background / Need:
The traffic flow software infrastructure is based on 20-year-old code and is difficult to maintain and enhance. It is difficult to integrate new capabilities from the R&D community and other agencies and many high-benefit functions are simply not feasible with the current system. There are performance gaps in predictability, inefficient delay and equity. There exists a high cost of ownership.
During problem determinations demand forecasts are imprecise – critical data is not being provided to TFM. The uncertainty in demand projections results in over-control of flights and under-use of NAS assets. You cannot model alternative Traffic Management Initiatives’ (TMI) impact on the NAS. When engaged in solution selection, implementation and monitoring there is limited ability to grant user-preferred solutions and an inability to efficiently coordinate implementation with other domains.
The current TFM infrastructure cannot affordably support these needs.
Solution(s):
Establish an open-architecture platform with a robust framework for implementing enhancements & operational improvements. Increase development bandwidth for maintainers and prototypers and support reduction of the backlog of new functions. Facilitate involvement of 3rd party R&D groups.
Operational Benefits:
The TFM-M program will modernize the Enhanced Traffic Management System (ETMS) hardware and software. It will facilitate integration with other domains; reduce the total cost of ownership, improve TFM performance, capacity and human-computer interface, provide scalability to address increased traffic load and complexity without architecture change, and support effective collaboration and integrated traffic management.
