Next Generation Air Transportation Initiative (NextGen)


NextGen Initiative

NextGen will transform the air traffic control system.  It focuses on leveraging existing new technologies, such as satellite-based navigation, surveillance, and networking.  The concept focuses on moving the control of an aircraft from the ground into the cockpit.


This initiative will streamline the following into the future system:

  • Safety needs in civil aviation
  • Economic needs in civil aviation
  • Integration of the national defense improvements
  • Integration of the homeland security improvements

 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assumed the lead role for the Airport Infrastructure Integrated Product Team (IPT). The Airports IPT is identifying, developing, and facilitating the airport systems required to:

 

  • Meet future capacity demands
  • Provide the needed flexibility and efficiencies required to adopt to changing transportation needs

 

Background

VISION 100-- Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act

NextGen was enacted in 2003 by President Bush and Congress under the passage of VISION 100 – Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (P.L. 108-176).

 

VISION 100 mandates a multi-agency initiative to carry out NextGen.


The effort involves 7 government agencies:

 

  • Dept. of Transportation (DOT)
  • Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS)
  • Dept. of Defense (DOD)
  • Dept. of Commerce (DOC)
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
  • Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
  • White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

 

Joint Planning and Development Office

VISION also proposed a unique public/private partnership managed by the Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) to accomplish NextGen goals.


Under this initiative, JPDO is charged with managing the partnership to bring NextGen online by 2025 by coordinating the specialized efforts of the above government agencies. Federal officials from these organizations along with members of the private sector are developing the operational concepts behind NextGen.
 

Currently, JPDO is developing a concept for 2025, which transitions the current national airspace system into the next generation.

 

Challenges

 

FAA’s challenge has been to find a way to ensure that the agency’s planning can realize JPDO’s vision for the NextGen System. To meet this challenge, FAA has decided to expand the Operational Evolution Plan (OEP) into the agency’s “one plan” to provide continuity between what is and what is to come.

 

Expanding its scope beyond capacity, the new OEP will harmonize existing plans and concepts, and will provide a real and tangible foundation against which the agency and its partners can chart the future. The new OEP will become the operational implementation plan for fulfilling the agency’s portion of the NextGen vision.

 

The OEP is an ongoing 10-year plan developed by FAA to increase the capacity and efficiency of the National Airspace System, while at the same time enhancing safety and security. The first plan was released in 2001 and is updated annually. The plan focuses its improvements at the OEP 35 airports (30 large hub airports, and 5 medium hub airports—Memphis, Cleveland, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Portland).

 

Compiled by Dick Marchi (rmarchi@aci-na.org) Senior Advisor, Center for Policy and Regulatory Affairs