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We heard your voices and have been working across the ATO and the FAA to develop action plans to address your concerns. About 25 percent of you responded to the survey last year, and I'd love to see more participate this year. Your voice matters! Closing the Gap Safely + ATO Women Rock Hi everyone, Before we introduce a new system or technology into our national airspace system (NAS), we have to justify it with a strong business case. In other words, we have to prove that it will provide more benefit than what it will cost. One of the reasons we knew Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, or ADS-B, was going to be worth considerable investment by the agency and operators is because it would allow controllers to use reduced separation standards in places they couldn't before. That's a benefit because aircraft can fly closer together safely and increase the capacity of our airspace when there's high demand. Just days after the ADS-B equipage deadline took effect on Jan. 1, we started using ADS-B to reduce separation standards from 5 nautical miles to 3 nautical miles where radar coverage didn't allow it before in en route airspace below 23,000 feet at Seattle Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZSE). We call the capability Track Based Display Mode (TBDM). While reduced separation had been possible in places where radar allowed it, we needed GPS-based ADS-B in centers to have more confidence in the location accuracy and update rate of every aircraft, and not rely on distance from a radar sensor. While TBDM usage is brand new, and we're working on some validation improvements to software and orders that will optimize it, so far it's working well. Glenn Wood, our airspace and procedures manager in Anchorage Seattle District, tells us his team in Seattle has noticed that with ADS-B we are picking up targets earlier than we would before and we are able to keep 3 nm separation in areas that radar wouldn't allow. They're excited about taking the lead in bringing 3 nm separation to areas of the NAS that were previously restricted to 5 nm separation, safely increasing the capacity of the NAS. We're moving to our second TBDM key site at the Boston ARTCC (ZBW) on Feb. 14, and working with the field to determine a waterfall schedule that will make it available at our centers across our NAS. While still in its infancy, it's an important step that our team can take advantage of the enhanced capabilities, and also improve the return on investment. We have to stretch our capabilities to prepare for future demands.

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• January 27-February 2, 2020 Update