Aviation System Modeling and Monitoring Project’s Proactive Approach to Safety

AVIATION SYSTEM MODELING AND MONITORING PROJECT’S PROACTIVE APPROACH TO SAFETY

Graduate Research Paper

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

ABSTRACT

Title: Aviation System Modeling and Monitoring Project’s Proactive Approach

to Aviation Safety

Institution: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Degree: Master of Aeronautical Science

Year: 2005

The National Aerospace System is one of the most scrutinized areas of public safety in this country. Any aviation incident becomes national news immediately because of its high value public impact. NASA’s Aviation and Security Program has taken the initiative to be proactive on aviation safety by creating the Aviation System Monitoring and Modeling Project. This initiative helps decision makers analyze aviation data by providing tools to predict possible aviation hazards. The idea behind this project is to develop data bases that are user specific rather than having one big data base that is too large to obtain useful information.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ABSTRACT ii

Chapter

I INTRODUCTION 1

Background of the Problem 1

Researcher’s Work Setting and Role 2

Statement of the Problem 3

Limitations and Assumptions 3

II RESEARCH 4

Reasoning for ASMM 4

Description of ASMM 5

Pros and Cons of ASMM 7

III CONCLUSION 9

REFERENCES 10

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Problem

The National Airspace System (NAS) is a well established yet fragile infrastructure that needs constant monitoring and maintenance. Although the United States NAS is one of the safest in the world, the FAA and NASA have felt public and presidential pressure to create an even safer aviation environment. The FAA states, “while the accident rate for scheduled airlines over the last two decades has been very low, it has also been relatively consistent. The absence of continuing accident rate reductions is a cause for serious concern” (“Transportation Strategic Plans,” 2005). Safety needs to be the highest priority for the NAS. In response, the FAA and NASA have come up with plans and programs to be proactive on the safety front in order to prevent future aviation disasters.

The rate of aviation incidents is very low but with increasing aviation traffic in the years to come the rate, if not decreased, will provide for a greater number of aviation accidents. The FAA states, “Even with today’s very low accident rate, projected growth in air travel will inevitably produce