ADS-B In upgrade SafeRoute+ increases runway capacity and reduces fuel burn
DALLAS - Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in a modern airliner’s cockpit? While you’re enjoying your in-flight movie, a quiet technological revolution is underway, one that’s not only making flying safer but also reducing air time to help minimize delays and reduce each flight’s carbon footprint. This advancement is a new application of a long-standing technology known as ADS-B, or Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast. The new application, called SafeRoute+, is a key component of the ongoing modernization of our air traffic control system, Chris Polynin writes for Fast Company. Continue reading original article.
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
18 August 2025 - SafeRoute+ is an advanced implementation of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast In (ADS-B In) technology developed by ACSS. Unlike standard ADS-B Out, which transmits an aircraft’s position to air traffic control and nearby aircraft, ADS-B In allows pilots to receive and display real-time traffic information directly in the cockpit. SafeRoute+ provides a forward-looking traffic view out to 180 nautical miles, enabling flight crews to better anticipate other aircraft movements, maintain optimal spacing, and make proactive decisions in coordination with controllers. The system can be retrofitted into existing aircraft as well as installed on new platforms, making it a flexible upgrade option for a wide range of operators.
Operational trials at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport have demonstrated the technology’s tangible benefits. SafeRoute+ has allowed controllers and pilots to safely reduce aircraft spacing by about 12 seconds and shorten approach segments by roughly 20 seconds, increasing runway throughput by four to five additional landings per hour. These efficiencies translate into less time in holding patterns, lower fuel burn, and reduced carbon emissions. Safety performance also improved, with better visual acquisition of other aircraft, even in low visibility, and zero spacing-related incidents during testing. By improving situational awareness without requiring new ground infrastructure, SafeRoute+ offers a cost-effective way to enhance safety, reduce delays, and improve environmental performance across the aviation industry.
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Jamie Whitney, Senior Editor
Military + Aerospace Electronics
