Air Traffic Control: Remote Radar for Grand Junction
RCED-97-22
Published: Nov 19, 1996. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 1996.
Skip to Highlights
Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed: (1) whether the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chose the most cost-effective option for handling radar-based air traffic control activities at the Grand Junction, Colorado, airport; (2) whether the safety and efficiency of the air traffic control system would be compromised by remoting radar data and contracting out tower operations at Grand Junction; and (3) what can be done to improve the FAA process for determining when and where to remote radar data.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FAA, to develop formal guidance and an analytical model for making its remoting decisions. The guidance should outline what costs to include, how those costs should be computed, and what documentation is required to support the analysis. It should also provide for early and continuous involvement of the major stakeholders, especially the affected communities. |
Closed – Not Implemented
FAA does not plan to develop any additional guidance solely concerning the remoting of radar data. According to FAA officials, its June 1996 guidance setting out procedures for the consolidation of Terminal Approach Radar Control Centers (TRACONS) will also be followed when considering the options of remoting radar data to an established TRACON facility or building a locally controlled facility.
|
Full Report
Office of Public Affairs
Topics
Air traffic control systemsAir traffic controllersCost controlCost effectiveness analysisPrivatizationRadar equipmentStaff utilizationTelecommunicationsTransportation safetyAir traffic