A $37 billion program to modernize America's air traffic control system, and "transform global aviation" is "way behind schedule and over budget," reports Ashley Halsey III.
A House subcommittee was the setting for the release of the bad news last week by Calvin L. Scovel III, inspector general for the
Department of Transportation. According to Halsey, Scovel told the committee that, "Software problems have put the multi-billion dollar En Route Automation
Modernization (ERAM) program four years behind schedule and $330 million
over budget."
ERAM is the cornerstone of, "the biggest aviation investment in U.S. history, the revolutionary Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen)."
"With the volume of air traffic projected to almost double during the next two decades, NextGen
would replace radar tracking with Global Positioning Satellites (GPS),
allow more direct routing that would save time and fuel, and provide
pilots and controllers with more precise data about the distance of one
plane from another," notes Halsey.
"We view NextGen as one of the most important
infrastructure investments for our nation," John D. Porcari, deputy
secretary of transportation, told the House panel. "This is a system of
systems, so it's very complex implementation. This [also] is a U.S.
technological leadership issue."
FULL STORY: NextGen air traffic control system behind schedule and over budget
Infrastructure Week Begins With Air Traffic Control Modernization
Infrastructure Week 2017 kicked-off Monday with the announcement that the president plans to privatize air traffic control. It won't be the first attempt at modernizing the antiquated system. Additional events planned Wednesday through Friday.
Leveraging Holistic Platforms For Urban Mobility Solutions
How a ‘control tower’ approach can improve mobility and reduce congestion and emissions.
NextGen Bus Plan Approved in Los Angeles
Major changes are coming to the Metro bus system in the nation's second largest city. After three years of planning and public feedback, the Metro board has approved the NextGen bus plan.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
How Atlanta Built 7,000 Housing Units in 3 Years
The city’s comprehensive, neighborhood-focused housing strategy focuses on identifying properties and land that can be repurposed for housing and encouraging development in underserved neighborhoods.
In Both Crashes and Crime, Public Transportation is Far Safer than Driving
Contrary to popular assumptions, public transportation has far lower crash and crime rates than automobile travel. For safer communities, improve and encourage transit travel.
Report: Zoning Reforms Should Complement Nashville’s Ambitious Transit Plan
Without reform, restrictive zoning codes will limit the impact of the city’s planned transit expansion and could exclude some of the residents who depend on transit the most.
Judge Orders Release of Frozen IRA, IIJA Funding
The decision is a victory for environmental groups who charged that freezing funds for critical infrastructure and disaster response programs caused “real and irreparable harm” to communities.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Caltrans
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service