DFW air traffic control is getting new radios, giant radars, digital voice switches and ground radar as part of $40 to $50 million in upgrades.
For year’s aviation experts have warned the aging systems nationwide need major investment and now it’s happening at DFW International Airport. In an exclusive interview, NBC 5’s Katy Blakey spoke one-on-one with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy about what’s to come and what’s still needed.
For years aviation experts have warned that the nation’s air traffic control systems need major investment.NBC 5’s Katy Blakey spoke one-on-one with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy during his visit to the airport on Wednesday. According to the Department of Transportation, DFW’s air traffic control will see $40 million to $50 million in upgrades over the next two years.“So we use technology in a system that is very safe but it’s technology from 20, 30, sometimes 40 years ago,” Duffy said. “And so to bring in that new technology, I think it is easier on controllers, but also a more resilient system, which means flying is safer.”Over the next two years, upgrades will include new digital voice switches and digital flight strips to enhance communication, along with new display controllers and a ground radar system that will digitally track planes on the runway.“So this new investment on the infrastructure of telecom will make sure that we actually do have true redundant lines. So what happened at DFW a year ago won’t happen again,” Duffy said.“So I got $12.5 billion and it helps me rebuild infrastructure and aviation, but we need new software. Software is really how we manage the airspace.” He says Congress will still need to fund the development of new software to manage a growing and more complicated airspace. “There’s a lot of delays and a lot of cancellations and sometimes that’s weather, but sometimes that’s how we manage the airspace. This new technology will allow us the ability to manage it way more efficiently.”“Listen, we have the safest system – again – bar none. But, again, you see a few things that if I look at the system, I think technology, just the revolution around technology, it drives that much more safety."While DFW Airport has not seen long security lines like other airports, TSA workers nationwide will soon miss their second paycheck later this week. “When that happens, I think across the country you’re going to see way longer lines because they can’t function. They’re going to drive Uber, they’re going to wait tables. They’re going to find another source of income. We’ve seen over 400 already quit from TSA.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Declining Transit Use Raises Questions About Public Transportation SubsidiesAnalysis of declining public transit ridership, pre- and post-COVID-19, highlighting the inefficiency of government subsidies and advocating for privatization and reduced spending on public transportation. The article references falling ridership, the preference for private vehicles, and the need to prioritize road and bridge maintenance.
Read more »
NTSB investigators stalled by long TSA lines while en route to LaGuardia crashTransportation Secretary Sean Duffy said LaGuardia Airport will operate at reduced capacity for some time following a runway accident that killed two pilots and forced the airport to shut down.
Read more »
USPS seeks temporary 8% price hike on package shipping services, citing high transportation costsThe U.S. Postal Service has filed a notice with regulators requesting a temporary 8% price increase on several package shipping services, with the agency citing 'transportation-related' challenges.
Read more »
USPS to add temporary fuel surcharge, raising some postage prices as transportation costs jumpThe U.S. Postal Service is raising some postage prices to help offset the federal agency's rising transportation costs as fuel prices surge.
Read more »
Postal Service seeks 8% price hike to offset transportation expensesThe U.S. Postal Service is seeking a temporary 8% extra charge on some of its most used shipping products to cover rising transportation costs. On Wednesday, USPS filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission. The agency says the charge will start April 26 and run until Jan. 17, 2027, if regulators approve it.
Read more »
USPS seeks a temporary 8% charge on Priority Mail and other products to offset transportation costsThe U.S. Postal Service is seeking a temporary 8% extra charge on some of its most used shipping products to cover rising transportation costs.
Read more »