Radar Based Terminal Weather Systems Update Mark Weber MIT/Lincoln Laboratory 13 October 2004

TDWR Measurement Capabilities Dry Microburst Wet Microburst Gust Front Buoyancy Waves >15.0 First Echo 12.5 10.0 7.5 5.0 2.5 -2.5 Memphis International Airport -5.0 -7.5 -10.0 Thunderstorm initiation along outflow boundary -12.5 Gust Front -15.0

Terminal Doppler Weather Radar System availability continues to increase Processor modernization, antenna drive improvements, redundant communication lines Service improvement opportunities Exploit increased computer capacity to improve data processing algorithms Demonstration at SLC in 2005-2006 Implement 0-20 minute graphical thunderstorm nowcast Facilitate external access to TDWR base data Develop external user web site for product access

Integrated Terminal Weather System (ITWS) Goals Improve safety - Improved wind shear protection Proactive avoidance of severe weather Reduce Delay - Storm motion and forecasts - Adverse winds Reduce controller workload - Shared situational awareness  Provide weather information to air traffic automation systems User Identified Benefits Higher departure rates during thunderstorms Anticipating arrival and departure fix closure/reopening Anticipating runway impacts and shifts Higher arrival rates during adverse winds Optimizing airline operations

ITWS Production Web

Integrated Terminal Weather System 11 systems operational (7 production + 4 Lincoln prototypes) 4 more production sites scheduled FY2005 Funding for total of 22 sites programmed First planned product improvements underway 1 hour Convective Weather Forecast Dry microburst detection Service Improvement Opportunities Establish process and funding for regular algorithm enhancements Advanced capabilities developed by AWRP Deploy to all TDWR equipped airports as originally planned

ASR-9 Weather Systems Processor Sites

ASR-9 Weather Systems Processor 31 of 34 planned production sites operational WSP availability at production sites has been high Service improvement opportunities Activate TWIP interface built into WSP Develop external user web site for product access Convene “users conference” to assess system performance on a national basis Guidance for future product enhancements

Medium Intensity Airport Weather System (MIAWS) Sites Tower/TRACON Supervisor Display SD Pull-Down Menus Storm Motion Vector Storm Position 10 & 20 Minute Extrapolation Runway Arenas

Medium Intensity Airport Weather System Program terminated June 2004 FAA Executives felt that combination of LLWAS-RS and ASR-11 weather channel provide adequate service Prototypes at Springfield, MO and Jackson, MS will continue to operate until ASR-11 is deployed Low cost “network-enabled” MIAWS service to be demonstrated in FY2005 High resolution regional thunderstorm nowcasts generated by Corridor Integrated Weather System (CIWS) Small terminal displays access CIWS products using System Wide Information Management (SWIM) “publish/subscribe” technology

Summary Key accomplishments during the last year Ongoing needs TDWR availability and data/product quality improvements Additional ITWS systems in operation and planned product improvements underway WSP essentially fully deployed Ongoing needs Increased non-ATC user access to products from these systems Continue to enhance data and product quality through structured product improvement process