Predicting Cascading Failures in National Airspace System Networks
The aviation system networks below represent critical infrastructure components vulnerable to cascading failures. This step allows you to explore how different network types respond to stress, identify weak points, and simulate the impact of localized disruptions on the National Airspace System.
Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs), Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facilities, and control towers handling 95% of US air traffic. High hub concentration makes this vulnerable to coordinated disruptions targeting 3-5 critical control centers simultaneously.
Major hub airports, regional airports, and supporting infrastructure including ground handling, fuel systems, and passenger processing. Small-world topology creates potential for systemic passenger and cargo cascade failures affecting airline operations nationwide.
GPS satellites, VOR/DME stations, ILS systems, and radar installations essential for aircraft navigation and approach guidance. Geographic concentration with coordinated disruptions on key navigation nodes could trigger widespread flight diversions and safety concerns.
Commercial airline route structures, crew scheduling systems, and aircraft positioning networks. Scale-free topology is more resilient due to route redundancy but vulnerable to coordinated hub disruptions or fleet-wide technical issues.
Aviation facilities that, if disrupted, would trigger the most severe cascade failures across the National Airspace System.
Cross-system dependencies that amplify cascade effects across aviation networks and air traffic control systems.