Traffic Management
Updated:02:58 PM March 20, 2009
Unlike the tactical air traffic control conducted in towers, terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities, and en route centers, traffic management is a strategic function taking a longer term, larger area approach to maintaining an optimal flow of aircraft across the nation. Traffic Management Units are located in all en route centers and in larger TRACONs and towers, where Traffic Management Coordinators (TMCs) monitor the airborne and planned flights, weather patterns, and special use airspace to evaluate potential problems and implement solutions within their areas of responsibility. For example, if part of one center was exceeding its capacity, the TMC could call adjacent centers and institute a slower entry rate by requiring there be a longer than minimum separation between aircraft. There is also an Air Traffic Control System Command Center that performs essentially the same functions on a national level and coordinates solutions to problem flows to all affected facilities. For example, if weather conditions are forecast to be poor in the highly congested east coast in five hours, the ATCSCC may coordinate a ground hold on departures from the west coast so they do not arrive as scheduled and be unable to land. All the traffic management efforts use large amounts of information (much of it from the Enhanced Traffic Management System) to evaluate the traffic flows and use sophisticated communications systems to coordinate with other facilities, the airlines, the military, and other nations.
