Initial Evaluation of Uret Enhancements to Support Tfm Flow Initiatives, Severe Weather Avoidance and Cpdlc

The MITRE Corporation’s Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are currently developing a set of enhancements to the User Request Evaluation Tool (URET) conflict probe. These enhancements are designed to further the support provided by URET for strategic Air Traffic Control, by extending the URET analysis and detection capabilities to new types of problems (e.g., severe weather), and facilitating the delivery of clearances using data link communications. The URET enhancements described in this paper provide support for the implementation of Traffic Flow Management (TFM) Flow Initiatives, severe weather avoidance, and assistance in clearance delivery using the FAA’s Controller Pilot Data Link Communications capability. The URET problem detection capabilities are enhanced to indicate where controller action may need to be taken to implement a Miles in Trail Flow Initiative, or assist with severe weather avoidance. Analysis capabilities for these situations are provided by enhanced URET displays and Trial Planning capabilities. This paper provides a description of these enhancements as currently implemented in the CAASD En Route Research Prototype, their Concept of Use, and the methodology and results of initial laboratory evaluations.