Collaborative Decision Making (CDM)
Collaboration supporting NextGen emerging technologies
Metron Aviation has been a major contributor to the Collaborative Decision Making (CDM) effort since the program’s inception in early 1990. CDM is a joint government-industry initiative aimed at improving Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) by increasing the exchange of information and enhancing decision support tools. CDM provides a near-term benefit for the users of the National Airspace System (NAS) by providing greater flexibility, predictability and equity while maximizing the use of strained resources. Metron Aviation's participation in the CDM Program includes research, development, evaluation, testing, deployment, training, maintenance and operational support for deployed and prototyped CDM tools. Solutions and Services provided to the CDM community include:
NextGen/SE-2020 Capabilities
As the FAA moves towards the near-term advancement of NextGen emerging technologies and capabilities, Metron Aviation continues to embrace the CDM philosophy as a part of our Concept Engineering and Development (CED) process. The spirit of CDM is as relevant today in NextGen as it was as a groundbreaking concept in the 1990s. By involving stakeholders throughout the CED process, Metron Aviation produces mature, reliable and most importantly concepts accepted by the user community, enabling smoother transition to an eventual operational environment. Learn More
NextGen Enabling Capabilities
Flight Schedule Monitor (FSM) was developed through CDM and as a result has saved air carriers over 68M minutes of delay due in large part to new algorithms and procedures embedded in Metron Aviation decision support tools. Metron Aviation is involved in all aspects of product design and procedures development, from conceptualization to deployment, for programs sponsored by FAA, DoD, NASA and the global aviation community. Metron Aviation continues to lead critical NextGen projects by developing and enhancing emerging technologies for operational areas such as Integrated ATM, Metroplex, Cruise and Surface. Additionally, Metron Aviation provides the breadth and depth of services for NextGen enabling capabilities such as simulation, modeling, airspace design, environment, weather, policy and global harmonization. Learn More
Concept Engineering and Development
Transitioning viable ideas for improved operations from concept to implementation is the motivation behind Metron Aviation’s Research and Mission Analysis efforts. Through our proven CED process, Metron Aviation has transitioned FAA concepts from the drawing board to real-world operational use. Current research has focused on developing refinements and enhancements to ATFM initiatives, including Integrated Traffic Flow Management (ITFM), an attempt to develop a system-wide TFM application that integrates individual constraint resolutions into one controlling program. ITFM is an attempt to blend Traffic Management Initiatives (TMI) into one system-wide solution that meets the objectives of the individual TMIs with the use of system-wide procedures. Current research like ITFM and past successes such as Distance-Based GDPs, Multi-Fix and Multi-Airport GDPs, Pop-up Procedures, Flow Constrained Areas, Slot Credit Substitution (SCS) Procedures and Out-Off-On-In (OOOI) Data Utilization have led to operational achievements in improving the overall NAS. In addition, research supporting the development of groundbreaking Integrated ATM, Metroplex, Cruise and Surface initiatives continues to be at the forefront of Metron Aviation mission analysis and research efforts. Learn More