alt Hacker NewsIs it possible to automate the job of an ATC controller? At least partially? Or at least just as a sanity check on every human decision? Not saying I want human ATC controllers replaced, but if there’s a severe staff shortage, I feel like a computerized version is better than nothing at all.
Replies
_moof • today at 9:32 PM
A great deal of ATC relies on automation, such as systems like ASDE-X, which is used at LGA. ASDE-X uses radar and vehicle transponders (among other things) to detect collision hazards on the ground. Unfortunately ASDE-X only works if every vehicle has a transponder.
The truck involved in the collision did not have one. https://bsky.app/profile/flightradar24.com/post/3mht7m2f3rc2...
dmitrygr • today at 5:52 PM
No, a lot of it is human - asking for things, getting things.
In this specific incident, there was a system in place called Runway Entrance Lights [0] that does serve as an automated sanity check on controllers commands. The surveillance video that is circulating shows that the system was working and indicated that the runway was not safe to enter. It's not clear yet why the truck entered the runway anyway.
0: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/technology/rwsl