Narrative:

I am told this is an automation issue with pdr's out of ZDC. Apparently their computer processes routings to the point where it leaves the ZDC center and then joins to the next fix. I don't know all the technical reasons why this is happening but do know that it is a serious safety concern when an aircraft is issued this routing that will turn it completely around head on into traffic. The controller has to catch the routing and route the aircraft down line. A big issue develops when one of the aircraft go NORDO and we can't fix route. Also; this is a huge disservice to the efficiency of the route with big turns. We see multiple aircraft routed this way from ZDC. I have been told that airspace is aware of this issue on the routing. ZID airspace has advised me that ZDC is aware of this routing issue but has not made it a priority since the issue does not take place in their airspace. Recommendation; ensure that the automation associated with the pdr out of ZDC is appropriately fixed. Ensure that the organization involved with this routing (ZID and ZOB and ZDC) is accountable to fix this issue.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZID controller expressed concern regarding PDR's out of ZDC's airspace; claiming existing procedure sometimes results in aircraft turning head on into conflicting traffic.

Narrative: I am told this is an automation issue with PDR's out of ZDC. Apparently their computer processes routings to the point where it leaves the ZDC Center and then joins to the next fix. I don't know all the technical reasons why this is happening but do know that it is a serious safety concern when an aircraft is issued this routing that will turn it completely around head on into traffic. The controller has to catch the routing and route the aircraft down line. A big issue develops when one of the aircraft go NORDO and we can't fix route. Also; this is a huge disservice to the efficiency of the route with big turns. We see multiple aircraft routed this way from ZDC. I have been told that airspace is aware of this issue on the routing. ZID airspace has advised me that ZDC is aware of this routing issue but has not made it a priority since the issue does not take place in their airspace. Recommendation; ensure that the Automation associated with the PDR out of ZDC is appropriately fixed. Ensure that the organization involved with this routing (ZID and ZOB and ZDC) is accountable to fix this issue.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.