Potential Roles for the Cockpit Traffic Display in the Evolving ATC System

Many different roles have been postulated for the cockpit traffic display during the more than 30 years since its first proposal. Many years of research have shown that the concept may have significant potential for improving safety, capacity, and efficiency in the ATC system, but also may have potential for creating new problems in the process of resolving others. This paper reviews the dimensions of the CDTI problem and discusses some of the possible benefits and liabilities associated with various roles such a concept might serve in the evolutionary development of the future air traffic control system.