There are STAR and SID procedures that are 90% of what you're proposing. A pilot is at the top of descent and is told "Descend via the SID" which takes them to final approach.
As a pilot, I am surprised by how important audio communication is for retention and awareness. Given that my visual senses are (nearly) overwhelmed with information, I think there is a risk that moving ATC from audio to visual would simply saturate the "visual channel" of pilots.
In terms of automating coordination, it's obviously possible but it would take decades to prove its relative safety. (Aviation is extremely safe.) The system would be very fragile, unless you had 24/7 fully staffed backup human ATC, which rather defeats the purpose. Practically speaking too, planes take a long time to build, and the current system allows planes built 80 years ago to fly alongside brand new ones. The cost of abolishing the 'legacy fleet' (i.e. all current passenger aircraft) is pretty high!
As a pilot, I am surprised by how important audio communication is for retention and awareness. Given that my visual senses are (nearly) overwhelmed with information, I think there is a risk that moving ATC from audio to visual would simply saturate the "visual channel" of pilots.
In terms of automating coordination, it's obviously possible but it would take decades to prove its relative safety. (Aviation is extremely safe.) The system would be very fragile, unless you had 24/7 fully staffed backup human ATC, which rather defeats the purpose. Practically speaking too, planes take a long time to build, and the current system allows planes built 80 years ago to fly alongside brand new ones. The cost of abolishing the 'legacy fleet' (i.e. all current passenger aircraft) is pretty high!