Safety Benefit of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Traffic and Weather Uplink Services

Abstract

The automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast system serves a dual role for general aviation operators, allowing integration with modern surveillance systems and providing an uplink of traffic, weather, and airspace information to participating aircraft. To obtain automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast uplink services, aircraft must be equipped with a portable or installed “automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast-in” receiver and display. This study used an online survey to assess pilot perception and valuation of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast-in traffic and weather services, including flight information system-broadcast and traffic information system-broadcast. Of the 1407 pilot respondents to the survey, 56.3% indicated having used automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast-in traffic and weather services while operating an aircraft. Among pilots who reported using automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast-in traffic services regularly, 64.5% reported that it helped them visually acquire traffic and 42.2% felt that the automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast uplink had provided information that helped prevent a midair collision. A strong link was observed between pilot satisfaction with automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast-in traffic information and concurrent equipage with “automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast out.” Pilots also reported using automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast-in weather and airspace services to improve inflight decision making, such as evaluating options for rerouting, changing altitude, or diverting to alternate airports.