It is a fundamental truth that you cannot improve what you cannot measure. We are now collecting this data daily for 11 airlines and the top 21 airports. It gives us information about delay or congestion in specific, targeted areas and shows the FAA and the airlines where to focus attention. The metrics can also establish a baseline against which to set goals and targets for improvements in specific locations. The performance indicators also point out to the airlines and the FAA locations where we need to make procedural or airspace changes, such as changing an approach into New York.
Collaboration is the hallmark of our strategic approach.
Three years ago, the U.S. aviation community came together and we established the Free Flight Phase 1 program, which has been highly successful. Free Flight Phase 1 includes five technologies to improve efficiency and increase capacity. Personally, I'd consider them one at a time while you're eighth in line at O'Hare. Another Free Flight Phase 1 tool is the User Request Evaluation Tool. Thanks to URET, or conflict probe, controllers can approve requests for more direct routings, which save airlines time and money.