b'TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND FAAS NEXTGEN INITIATIVE CAPACITY ENHANCEMENTS AT MSP As part of the FAAs NextGen initiative to modernize the national The FAA continuously explores potential capacity-enhancingairspace system, in 2011 the agency began to pursue advanced development/technology to increase airport efficiency and reduceaircraft navigation technology at MSP in the form of Performance-delay. When advances are identified, efforts are made to implementbased Navigation/Area Navigation (PBN/RNAV) flight procedures. the technology at the busiest airports. This section describes theseAfter extensive review and community input, the FAA chose to efforts as they apply to MSP. implement approved new arrival procedures incorporating Optimized Installation of ASDE-X at MSP was completed in 2009 and providesProfile Descents (OPD) at MSP. Publication of the arrival flight seamless coverage for complete aircraft identification information.procedures and air traffic control implementation began in March This equipment also allows for future implementation and upgrade2015 and was fully implemented by April 2015. OPDs occur when to Next Generation (NextGen) navigation technology (Automaticpilots keep the throttle pulled back for a continuous descent into the Dependence SurveillanceBroadcast, ADS-B); ADS-B uses aairport rather than using more traditional procedures that involve Global Navigation Satellite System to broadcast critical information.descending in steps, reducing fuel and carbon emissions. In 2017, MAC staff completed an evaluation to quantify the benefits of OPDs. Federal policy requires aircraft operating in capacity-constrainedThe findings were endorsed by the FAA showed that the OPDs airspace, at capacity-constrained airports or in any other airspaceprovide the largest carbon emission reduction in documented history deemed appropriate by the FAA, to be equipped with ADS-B/Cockpitat MSP with a savings of approximately 2.9 million gallons of fuel per Display of Traffic Information (ADS-B/CDTI) technology by 2020. Thisyear resulting in 28,465 fewer metric tons of carbon dioxide.includes MSP. Also in April 2017, the FAA introduced Data Communications at MSP. Data Comm, as it is known, is a NextGen technology that Runway 4-22 Taxiway Lighting System allows traditional voice transmissions to be sent to aircraft as text. In 2019 the MAC completed a project as part of the CapitalThe technology is most beneficial when air traffic controllers modify Improvement Program for the construction of taxiway lighting the routing of aircraft flight plans. These long verbal instructions can systems for Runway 4-22 between Runway 12L-30R and now be sent in seconds, reducing radio congestion, decreasing the Runway 17-35 with lead-in/off centerline lighting on the end potential for error, and increasing the accuracy ofconnector taxiways.the communications.The project included installation of taxiway edge and centerline lights and cabling. This provides the FAA aircraft control tower the ability to convert runway 4-22 into a fully functional taxiway and back to a runway configuration as required. The lighting system allows for the safe aircraft taxi operations on Runway 4-22 during peak operational periods without the risk of a possible pilot caused runway incursion due to confusion of current lighting systems. This unique operation conversion is fully compliant with the FAA design requirements for a taxiway operation. The flexibility allows the tower to better utilized existing infrastructure and allow for more efficient ground handlingof aircraft.ix'