Identifying the Dynamics of Technology Transition: ADS-B Adoption in the National Airspace System

Abstract

Congestion is a growing problem in the National Airspace System (NAS). Predictions indicate that the NAS, as a whole, will be operating at 75% of capacity by 2010 [2] and that the demand in capacity in air transportation will double within a span of 10 to 35 years [3]. In order for the U.S. to maintain leadership in air transportation and meet the challenges of demand and efficiency of the 21st century, the NAS infrastructure, technology, and procedural strategies need to be modernized [4]. To this end, the FAA plans to implement a cooperative surveillance system called Automatic Dependent Surveillance -- Broadcast, or ADS-B. The surveillance technology and its applications are expected to provide important operational improvements by addressing some of the limitations of the current surveillance system.