Reason Foundation

July 17, 2017

Top Story

Remote Air Traffic Control Towers: A Better Future for America’s Small Airports

Remote towers offer a proven alternative for the provision of air traffic services at low-activity airports.

Stephen Van Beek

A new concept has entered the world of air traffic control over the past decade: the remote (or virtual) tower. It uses an array of sensing and communication technologies on the airfield and the surrounding airspace, while providing the actual control functions (using certified controllers) in a ground-level facility. That “remote tower center” could be located at the airport in question, or it could be located at a considerable distance. In the case of low- activity airports, it is possible to locate controllers responsible for several small airports in a single remote tower center (RTC).

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Remote Towers Offer Hope for Smaller U.S. Airports

European countries are using remote air traffic control towers to improve and expand tower services.

Robert Poole

In contrast to a conventional tall structure with a control cab on top, a remote tower puts the control cab on the ground (at lower cost) and relies on an array of high-tech cameras mounted on one or more tall poles at the airport. Because the cameras include infrared, they provide better views at night, in rain, or in fog than the out-the-window view from a conventional tower. And the controllers’ equipment and displays can include object tracking and alerting, both in the nearby airspace and on the airport surface, increasing safety.

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Airport Policy and Security News #118

Remote towers: hope for smaller airports

Robert Poole

In this issue:

• Remote towers: hope for smaller airports
• Airport terminal P3s proliferate
• Fort Lauderdale fiasco worse than reported
• Airports short-changed in FAA bills
• Alternative to lap-top ban is much higher costs
• News Notes
• Quotable Quotes

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Pension Reform Newsletter - June 2017

Michigan's innovative teacher pension reform, Pennsylvania's major pension reform, Houston/Dallas pension reform legislation enacted, and more

Leonard Gilroy, Anthony Randazzo

In this issue:

• Michigan Adopts Nation's Most Innovative Teacher Pension Reform
• Pennsylvania Enacts Major Pension Reform
• Texas Enacts Dallas, Houston Pension Reform Legislation
• Florida to Default New Hires to Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
• News Notes
• Quotable Quotes

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Michigan Adopts Most Innovative Teacher Pension Reform in the Nation

Changes to MPSERS reduce risk, provide choice, stabilize long-term costs, keep promises

Anthony Randazzo, Leonard Gilroy, Daniel Takash

The Michigan Legislature has passed a first of its kind, innovative pension reform bill that will provide a new set of retirement choices for state teachers and cap the growth of liabilities in the state’s current, structurally flawed retirement plan. Gov. Rick Snyder signed the bill into law in July, ensuring the Michigan Public School Employee System (MPSERS)—currently only 60% funded with $29 billion in unfunded pension liabilities—will have its most realistic path to solvency in the past two decades. 

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Surface Transportation News #164

Interstate tolling: new support—and old misconceptions

Robert Poole

In this issue: 

• Interstate tolling: new support—and old misconceptions
• Waterways group seeks something for nothing
• Progress on autonomous vehicles
• Golden Gate Bridge still not earthquake-safe
• A new appreciation for suburbia
• Upcoming Transportation Conferences
• News Notes
• Quotable Quotes

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The Tennessee Health Department's E-Cigarette Advice Is Dangerous and Misleading

Smokers should know that switching to vaping can dramatically reduce exposure to dangerous chemicals.

Brian Fojtik

When it comes to the health impacts of e-cigarettes, a report from one of the oldest medical societies in the world, the Royal College of Physicians, offers a very different view than the state health department.

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How and Why to Toll the Interstates that Need Reconstruction

Replacing aging Interstate highways with toll-financed new ones.

Robert Poole

Not only is our most important highway resource wearing out and undersized for the 21^st century; we also face the necessity of shifting from paying for highways per gallon of fuel used to paying for them per mile driven. A carefully-crafted, politically-feasible Interstate replacement plan can serve both of these goals.

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