NASA, working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and private industry, is developing the technologies necessary to increase predictability of the air traffic systems, enhance operational efficiency, and improve travel across national, regional and local traffic management systems. ATD-2 will provide coordinated schedules between the ramp, tower, terminal and center control facilities, giving air traffic managers the tools necessary to make better decisions to reduce congestion. Source 9t.
This is a good, common sense place to invest money. As air travel continues to grow it only makes sense to try to fix our aging air traffic control system. What surprised me is that NASA is involved in this. But I can see why they are after reading the article.