Integration of Aviation Automated Weather Observation Systems (AWOS) with Roadside Weather Information Systems (RWIS): Phase II 12/09/2015 6
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA • DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ADA Notice TECHNICAL REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE For individuals with sensory disabilities, this document is available in alternate TR0003 (REV 10/98) formats. For information call (916) 654-6410 or TDD (916) 654-3880 or write Records and Forms Management, 1120 N Street, MS-89, Sacramento, CA 95814. 1. REPORT NUMBER 2. GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION NUMBER 3. RECIPIENT'S CATALOG NUMBER CA16-1768 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5. REPORT DATE Integration of Aviation Automated Weather Observation Systems (AWOS) with Roadside Weather Information Systems (RWIS): Phase II 12/09/2015 6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE WTI 7. AUTHOR 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO. Doug Galarus & Daniell Richter 9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 10. WORK UNIT NUMBER Western Transportation Institute (WTI), Montana State University (MSU) PO Box 174250 Bozeman, MT 11. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER 59717-4250 (406) 994-6113 65A0747 12. SPONSORING AGENCY AND ADDRESS 13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED California Department of Transportation Final Report, 07/05/2012-12/09/2015 Division of Research, Innovation, and System Information P.O. Box 942873 14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE Sacramento, CA 94273-0001 Caltrans 15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 16. ABSTRACT In 2008, the Western Transportation Institute (WTI) at Montana State University (MSU), in partnership with the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) at San Jose State University, conducted a research and development study of the proof-of-concept system for integrating Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) with Roadside Weather Information System (RWIS). That was the first phase. The goal of this multi-phase project is to provide airport managers, air traffic controllers, pilots, and related operators of air ambulance services with more comprehensive and accurate meteorological data by integrating currently used weather systems with systems used by related agencies. Data from aviation AWOS, ASOS (Automated Surface Observing Systems) and surface transportation RWIS have been integrated along with data from third-party providers National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Meteorological Assimilation Data Ingest System (MADIS) and MesoWest into the Aviation WeatherShare System to provide greater coverage for multiple agencies. Treating these independent systems as a larger, integrated system provides greater spatial coverage while using existing resources compared to the use of AWOS-ASOS alone. The second phase of the project, developed a business case to help Caltrans to determine whether and how to proceed with full deployment. In addition further system development, to expand the coverage area; improve usability, effectiveness, reliability and scalability; and enhance the system with useful functionality. Promote system usage and awareness through on-going outreach, training and support to multi-agency disciplinary, including those involved with emergency management. Evaluate the system over multiple seasons and with a wider audience of prospective users, and upgrade/update system based upon test user recommendation. 17. KEY WORDS 18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT AWOS, RWIS, ASOS, NOAA, MADIS, aviation, aviation weather, No restrictions. This document is available to the pilot trip planning, wind aloft, AIRMET, SIGMET, Surface public through the National Technical Information Conditions, Surface Forecast, Terminal Aerodrome Forecast Service, Springfield, VA 22161 19. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION (of this report) 20. NUMBER OF PAGES 21. COST OF REPORT CHARGED Unclassified 132 Reproduction of completed page authorized. DISCLAIMER STATEMENT This document is disseminated in the interest of information exchange. The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the State of California or the Federal Highway Administration. This publication does not constitute a standard, specification or regulation. This report does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of any product described herein. For individuals with sensory disabilities, this document is available in alternate formats. For information, call (916) 654-8899, TTY 711, or write to California Department of Transportation, Division of Research, Innovation and System Information, MS-83, P.O. Box 942873, Sacramento, CA 94273-0001. Integration of AWOS and RWIS Phase 2 Final Report Disclaimer Integration of Aviation Automated Weather Observation Systems (AWOS) with Roadside Weather Information Systems (RWIS) Phase II Final Report by Douglas Galarus Senior Research Scientist Program Manager: Systems Engineering, Development and Integration and Daniell Richter Research Associate II Western Transportation Institute College of Engineering Montana State University A report prepared for the State of California, Department of Transportation Division of Research, Innovation and System Information December 9, 2015 Western Transportation Institute Page i Integration of AWOS and RWIS Phase 2 Final Report Disclaimer DISCLAIMER The opinions, findings and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the California Department of Transportation or Montana State University. Alternative accessible formats of this document will be provided upon request. Persons with disabilities who need an alternative accessible format of this information, or who require some other reasonable accommodation to participate, should contact Western Transportation Institute, Montana State University, PO Box 174250, Bozeman, MT 59717-4250, telephone number 406- 994-6113. Western Transportation Institute Page ii Integration of AWOS and RWIS Phase 2 Final Report Acknowledgements ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors are thankful to members of the Caltrans Project Technical Advisory Panel for their input on and review of this document. Melissa Clark provided written comments on the first draft of this document. We thank all of the Panel for their input and guidance. The authors also acknowledge San Jose State University and Wenbin Wei for their participation on this project. Western Transportation Institute Page iii Integration of AWOS and RWIS Phase 2 Final Report Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction ..............................................................................................................................1 1.1. Definitions, acronyms, and abbreviations ........................................................................ 6 1.2. Organization of This Report ............................................................................................. 7 1.3. References ........................................................................................................................ 7 2. The Prototype System ..............................................................................................................8 2.1. Data Retrieval and Processing.......................................................................................... 8 2.2. Presentation .................................................................................................................... 10 3. Evaluation ..............................................................................................................................65 3.1. Focus Group Survey ....................................................................................................... 66 3.1.1. Responses ................................................................................................................ 66 3.1.2. Summary ................................................................................................................. 72 3.2. Online Survey ................................................................................................................. 75 3.2.1. Responses ................................................................................................................ 75 3.2.2. Summary ................................................................................................................. 90 3.3. Google Analytics Results ............................................................................................... 93 3.3.1. Google Analytics Statistics: 6/1/2010 through 8/12/2013 ...................................... 93 3.3.1. Google Analytics Statistics: 8/13/2013 through 9/30/2015 .................................... 95 4. AWOS/ASOS Gap Analysis ................................................................................................105 5. Summary ..............................................................................................................................120 Western Transportation Institute Page iv Integration of AWOS and RWIS Phase 2 Final Report List of Tables LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Focus Group Survey Response Tallies – Anticipated Usage Frequency ....................... 75 Table 2: Focus Group Survey Response Tallies – Anticipated Usage Time ................................ 76 Table 3: Focus Group Survey Response Tallies – Usefulness of Surface Condition Layers ....... 77 Table 4: Focus Group Survey Response Tallies – Usefulness of Surface Forecast Layers ......... 78 Table 5: Focus Group Survey Response Tallies – Usefulness of Surface Layers ........................ 79 Table 6: Focus Group Survey Response Tallies – Usefulness of Aviation Layers ...................... 80 Table 7: