Air Traffic Control
Improving Air Transportation Safety
Since 1971, we have been supporting the Federal Aviation Administration in the development of new technology for air traffic control. We develop systems for aircraft surveillance, weather sensing, collision avoidance, decision support, and air traffic management automation. Learn more in our R&D brochure and our 50 Years of Research and Innovation booklet.
Air Traffic Control Groups
The Air Traffic Control and Weather Systems Group’s mission is to develop and deploy advanced weather sensing, forecasting, and decision support technologies with a focus on enabling safe, efficient, and cyber-secure air transportation. These technologies are designed to address the needs of a range of key users, including air traffic controllers, pilots, airlines, regulators, and other decision makers.
Latest News
50 Years of Research and Innovation
Lincoln Laboratory’s air traffic control program reached its 50th anniversary in 2021. To commemorate this milestone, the “Celebrating 50 Years of Research and Innovation: MIT Lincoln Laboratory Air Traffic Control” booklet was created to highlight key air traffic control technologies developed by the Laboratory since 1971 and the significant impact they have had on national security and air transportation safety.
Featured Projects
climate
Aircraft Rerouting for Reduced Contrail Impact (ARRCI)
With MIT AeroAstro, we are developing forecasts and decision support tools to aid air traffic controllers in avoiding the formation of persistent contrails, which are increasingly considered to have a substantial impact on climate warming.
aviation weather
Portable Aircraft-Derived Weather Observation System
A low-cost technology can increase the number and quality of wind and temperature atmospheric observations made by aircraft to improve forecasts.
climate
Low-Cost Methane Sensor Network
Deploying large networks of ground-based methane detectors could help detect pipeline leaks, improve climate models, and regulate emission sources.
air traffic control
Visibility Estimation through Image Analytics
An algorithm uses camera imagery to estimate visibility for pilots flying in remote areas that lack weather sensors.
Laboratory Stories
I'm transitioning research tasks into operational algorithms that help the Federal Aviation Administration improve safety and efficiency.
James Kurdzo
Radar Meteorologist
Air Traffic Control
Air Traffic Control and Weather Systems
Advancing Our Research
Our Staff
View the biographies of members of the Air Traffic Control research area.
Featured Publications
Impacts of WSR-88D SAILS and MRLE VCP options on severe weather warning performance
Jul 31
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report NOAA-36
WSR-88D microburst detection performance evaluation
Nov 28
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-455
Radio frequency interference censoring scheme for Canadian Weather Radar
Jul 12
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-454
Available Datasets
Helicopter Air Ambulance (HAA) Trajectories, Version 1.
collision avoidance
Unmanned Aircraft Terminal Area Encounters
collision avoidance
Career Opportunities
Discover the exciting and challenging opportunities in Air Traffic Control.