Bay Area briefs

A test program at San Francisco International Airport could cut noise from planes by enabling aircraft to glide rather than use mechanical brakes when landing.

Computer software that determines the smoothest landing path allows pilots landing at SFO to descend on autopilot rather than braking and thrusting using manual controls.

A joint research team from SFO, NASA, Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration implemented the program, called Oceanic Tailored Arrivals. The technology is cleaner, quieter and more fuel-efficient than traditional manual landings, according to researchers.

The vast majority of flights are landed manually by pilots and controllers in heavy traffic to avoid collisions. With tailored approaches, the software determines the path of all planes simultaneously to keep them from colliding, researchers said.

Earthquake maps go online

New maps detailing earthquake hazard zones in Peninsula communities are set to go online starting Wednesday.

Residents in Palo Alto, Mountain View, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Redwood City can use the California Geological Survey maps to confirm if their house is located in an area considered prone to liquefaction or landslides during an earthquake.

The release of the maps also means developers seeking to build in those zones must show how they can overcome quake hazards.

The state already has mapped other parts of California including San Jose, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland.

South Bay landmarks in liquefaction zones include Google’s headquarters and the Shoreline Amphitheatre.