Evaluation of Near-Term Applications for ADS-B/CDTI Implementation

Two studies are reported that evaluated near-term terminal and oceanic applications for ADS-B/CDTI implementation. A brief description of each application is provided with an emphasis on how a Cockpit Display of Traffic Information (CDTI) capability might help to enhance their operations. In experiment 1, sixteen line pilots flew eight terminal visual approach scenarios with target speed cues and ground track vectors presented on a CDTI. Performance measures revealed closer spacing with the CDTI and a safety benefit with respect to enhanced awareness of proximate traffic speed reductions. In experiment 2, eight additional line pilots flew six oceanic scenarios using a CDTI feature set similar to that used in experiment 1. The scenarios were based on the current In-Trial Climb/In-Trail Descent (ITC/ITD) oceanic procedures and were modified slightly to take advantage of potential CDTI capabilities. The implications of these findings with respect to the current National Airspace System (NAS) are discussed.