ERAM

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) ‹ The template below (Promotional) is being considered for merging. See templates for discussion to help reach a consensus. › This article contains promotional content. Please help improve it by removing promotional language and inappropriate external links, and by adding encyclopedic text written from a neutral point of view. (January 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article reads like a press release or a news article and may be largely based on routine coverage. Please help improve this article and add independent sources. (January 2023) This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions. (January 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

The En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) system architecture replaces the En Route Host computer system and its backup. ERAM provides all of today's functionality and:^{[citation needed]}

• Adds new capabilities needed to support the evolution of US National Airspace System.
• Improves information security and streamlines traffic flow at US international borders.
• Processes flight radar data.
• Provides communications support.
• Generates display data to air traffic controllers.
• The display system provides real-time electronic aeronautical information and efficient data management.
• Provides a fully functional backup system, precluding the need to restrict operations in the event of a primary failure.
• The backup system provides the National Transportation Safety Board-recommended safety alerts, altitude warnings and conflict alerts.
• Improves surveillance by using a greater number and variety of surveillance sources.
• Detects and alerts air traffic controllers when aircraft are flying too close together for both safety and long term planning.
• ERAM simultaneously supports many operating modes and complex airspace configurations, driven by thousands of users who want to use the airspace differently.
• Allows more radars and flights than the old Host Computer System which ERAM replaces.

The open system architecture enables the use of future capabilities to efficiently handle traffic growth, and ensure a more stable and supportable system.

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (March 2024)

The FAA is deploying ERAM at 20 Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs), the Williams J. Hughes Technical Center, and the FAA Academy.

Step 1, 2006

Replace the current En Route computer backup system with Enhanced Backup Surveillance.

Step 2, 2007

Provide controllers real-time electronic access to weather data, aeronautical data, air traffic control procedures documents, Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), Pilot Reports (PIREPs) and other information with the En Route Information Display System (ERIDS).

Step 3, 2009

Replace the current En Route Host computer air traffic control with a fully redundant, state of the art system that enables new capabilities and requires no stand-alone backup system.^[1]

By the end of September 2011, ERAM was in continuous use at two relatively low-traffic centers, the Salt Lake City (ZLC) and Seattle (ZSE) ARTCCs. The project was over budget and behind schedule, and the original deployment dates were pushed back several times. While the system was deemed suitable for operational use, many workarounds were in place while awaiting software updates. Testing and dry runs continued while software bugs and requirements changes were worked out.^{[citation needed]}

As of March 2015, the Operational Readiness Decision (ORD) for ERAM has been declared at the Salt Lake City, Seattle, Denver (ZDV), Minneapolis (ZMP), Albuquerque (ZAB), Chicago (ZAU), Los Angeles (ZLA), Kansas City (ZKC), Houston (ZHU), Indianapolis (ZID), Oakland (ZOA), Boston (ZBW), Miami (ZMA), Cleveland (ZOB), Fort Worth (ZFW), Memphis (ZME), Atlanta (ZTL), Jacksonville (ZJX) and New York (ZNY) ARTCCs.^[2] ORD marks the point after which the legacy HOST Computer System can be decommissioned. In addition to the ORD sites, continuous operations have been declared at the Washington (ZDC) ARTCC, meaning all 20 ARTCCs in the CONUS are now using ERAM 24/7 to control en route air traffic over an area covering more than 3 million square miles.

In April 2014, the ERAM system at the Los Angeles ARTCC failed, causing a ground-stop that propagated ^[3] throughout the western United States and lasting as long as 2.5 hours.

All ARTCCs operational under ERAM are running with software that includes the NextGen capabilities of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and System Wide Information Management (SWIM).^{[citation needed]}