Sec. 561. NextGen delivery study
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/bill/115/hr/4/pcs/section-561A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation shall initiate a study of the potential impacts of a significantly delayed, significantly diminished, or completely failed delivery of the Next Generation Air Transportation System modernization initiative by the Federal Aviation Administration, including impacts to the air traffic control system and the national airspace system as a whole. In carrying out the study under subsection (a), the Inspector General shall assess the Administration’s performance related to the Next Generation Air Transportation System modernization initiative, including— the potential impacts on the operational efficiency of our aviation system; an analysis of potential economic losses and stranded investments directly related to NextGen; an analysis of the potential impacts to our international competitiveness in aviation innovation; an analysis of the main differences that would be seen in our air traffic control system; the potential impacts on the flying public, including potential impacts to flight times, fares, and delays in the air and on the ground; the effects on supply chains reliant on air transportation of cargo; the potential impacts on the long-term benefits promised by NextGen; an analysis of the potential impacts on aircraft noise and flight paths; the potential changes in separation standards, fuel consumption, flight paths, block times, and landing procedures or lack thereof; the potential impacts on aircraft taxi times and aircraft emissions or lack thereof; a determination of the total potential costs and logistical challenges of the failure of NextGen, including a comparison of the potential loss of the return on public and private sector investment related to NextGen, as compared to other available investment alternatives, between December 12, 2003 and the date of enactment of this Act; and other matters arising in the course of the study.
Not later than 1 year after the date of initiation of the study under subsection (a), the Inspector General shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the study.