The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Monday, September 21, that it has begun testing the Strategic Management of Airspace Routes and Trajectories (SMART) system, an artificial‑intelligence platform designed to improve the handling of flight delays. The pilot program will run at three major airports that serve the nation’s capital: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and Baltimore‑Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport.
SMART is intended to supply air‑traffic controllers with enhanced data and predictive information to better manage congestion in the region’s busy airspace. By analyzing flight trajectories and route demand in real time, the system seeks to streamline decision‑making and reduce the ripple effects that cause delays for passengers and airlines.
The Department of Transportation indicated that the three selected airports represent a cross‑section of traffic volumes and operational environments, providing a comprehensive testbed for the AI‑driven tool. The rollout follows broader efforts to modernize the national air‑traffic control infrastructure, which has relied increasingly on digital technologies to handle growing flight numbers.
During the testing phase, the SMART system will operate alongside existing control procedures, allowing officials to compare outcomes and assess performance without disrupting routine operations. Data collected from the pilot will inform potential adjustments before any wider deployment.
The initiative reflects a strategic push to incorporate advanced analytics into aviation management, aiming to deliver more reliable travel experiences for the millions of passengers who pass through the Washington‑area airports each year.
The DOT plans to release findings from the pilot after a defined evaluation period, which will determine whether the SMART system will be expanded to additional airports across the United States.