The Federal Aviation Administration plans to begin rolling out SMART this month, an advanced software system designed to improve flight scheduling and management. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford discussed the initiative with CEOs of major U.S. passenger airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines. SMART uses predictive analytics (data-based forecasting) to assess airline schedules, weather, airport capacity, airspace conditions and operational constraints, initially helping reschedule flights canceled by bad weather. Its use could later expand to coordinating schedules and flight paths before departure. The FAA awarded Air Space Intelligence an $875 million, 12-year contract for the system in June. The agency is also pursuing a $12.5 billion air traffic control overhaul and wants another $10 billion for additional improvements. The initiative comes as the FAA faces rising demand, runway construction, severe weather and air traffic controller shortages, which have contributed to congestion. Airlines for America said SMART would directly benefit travelers, while United CEO Scott Kirby said it could reduce weather-related delays and cancellations.