mnj1233 wrote: [TO: thewatcher]
A.
The Potential for Competition in a Next-Generation Air Transportation System
New technology will allow for two broad changes in the current, highly centralized, monopoly model of ATC. First, to some unknown degree, the essential function of aircraft separation will shift from the ATC provider (controllers on the ground) to pilots in the aircraft. Second, many of the other functions now performed by a monopoly ATC system will shift to third-party providers. Both of these changes increase the potential for competition and market incentives.
Aircraft Separation
Purely from a technical standpoint, experts believe it will be possible for properly equipped aircraft to self-separate in the oceanic and much of the en route environment. In theory, self separation will eliminate the need for controllers, much as telephone switching technology eliminated the need for switchboard operators. However, complete reliance on self separation would require aircraft to have a great deal of very expensive equipment on board, leading many experts to question whether it will ever be cost effective.
The most likely scenario is that much but not all of the control will shift to the aircraft: thus, aircraft will self-separate under the supervision of controllers in most airspace, with controllers actively managing the process in complex airspace. Self separation is many years off, however, and it will come about gradually, probably beginning in the highest altitude air space. A.

Just a little bit I took out of the pdf file within the article.