The equipment also makes short term predictions of potential weather changes. That information is fed into the wake prediction subsystem, which predicts the time it will take for wake vortices to decay or drift away from the flight path. This computer model uses not only the weather data, but also descriptions of the aircraft to forecast wake behavior. The prediction subsystem calculates spacing criteria and potential runway capacity. It then provides appropriate aircraft separation distances for the next 30 minutes.
Sensors measure actual wake vortex behavior to verify the accuracy of the predictions.
The system predicts the time it will take for wakes to clear the corridor at multiple windows. The end result is automatic, accurate, safe and efficient aircraft spacing information for air traffic controllers. At DFW, that means six additional planes that would normally face delays would be allowed to land each hour. Lincoln Laboratory, Transport Canada, and Volpe National Transportation Center to develop the Aircraft Vortex Spacing System.