Communication networking for airspace safety
This 'ASAS Thematic Network 2' (ASAS-TN2) project concerned the new generation of air traffic management (ATM) systems supported by airborne applications. Focusing on the application of airborne separation assistance systems (ASAS) to increase European airspace capacity and safety, it was primarily a communication activity. The EU-funded project concentrated on the exchange of information relating to ASAS/ADS-B applications while getting air-orientated and ground-orientated people working together more closely. It did this by involving key players, creating discussion and communication forums and establishing a review group to develop guidance and recommendations. The main result has been the sharing of current knowledge on ASAS/ADS-B and making recommendations for future activities related to its operational use. It is expected that these results will inform European actions, and allow European industry to more optimally plan their new product development strategies. Together with a document repository, forums were created and a focus put on delivering a yearly status of the progress towards the implementation of ASAS/ADS-B applications. Two-day events were held in five European cities and the number of participants grew each time, thus showing a measure of success. Study findings revealed that while the ATM community is relatively well covered, participation on the part of industry and airlines in particular is still very limited.
