Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Air Traffic Control Developmental
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Aircraft; Procedure; Human Factors
CRJ-200 was climbing westbound. He was at FL340 when I inquired what his estimated time to reach FL380 would be.  He said a little more than 4 minutes. His traffic was a point out from ZID; an A320 at FL370. I issued CRJ-200 a climb to FL380 and monitored his progress. When he was at FL360; I issued a rate of climb of 1;000 FPM. He acknowledged my request.  At FL375; CRJ-200 indicates he is not longer able to keep the 1;000 FPM. I acknowledge and ask what can he do on climb and do not get an answer; then I ask again if he is climbing at all; he stated; 'We are getting our speed up;' I then ask him to turn 40 degrees left for traffic and climb to FL380. I then called ZID to inform them what was happening. I had a j-ring on CRJ-200; and before losing separation; I witnessed FL380 in my data block. I then re-cleared the CRJ-200 to HNN and shipped him to ZID. Sequence traffic at altitude and leave CRJ-200 at FL360 and let ZID climb him. I know there was a work group investigating the phraseology linked to timed climbs to make it more useful and understandable for controllers and pilots.  Something to the effect of 'climb to reach FL380 in 4 minutes of less' with no time stamp requirement would be nice.
ZDC Controller described a loss of separation event listing the current required phraseology related to climb instructions as as contributing to this event and recommending changes to the current procedure.