Integration of Aviation Automated Weather Observation Systems (AWOS) with Roadside Weather Information Systems (RWIS) : Phase II

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has identified the potential to provide airports, particularly rural airports and helipads, with comprehensive and accurate meteorological data by integrating airport weather systems with those used by other agencies. In this project, the Western Transportation Institute (WTI) has worked in partnership with the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University to identify the specific data needs of aviation professionals, and to investigate whether data from existing sources can be integrated into a WeatherShare -type system to fulfill those needs. (WeatherShare is a Caltrans sponsored research system developed by the Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University and is focused on weather information for surface transportation.) The AWOS and RWIS project is targeted at small, underserved rural airfields and heliports. During this project, a systems engineering process was followed. Such a system engineering approach increases the likelihood that the system will work, satisfy customer needs, and meet acceptable cost and schedule constraints. Through a literature review and a survey of a representative focus group from rural airports/heliports in Northern California, a high-level user requirements analysis was conducted, a system concept was created and a prototype system was developed. The system aggregates quality-controlled surface weather information, Caltrans closed-circuit television (CCTV), National Weather Service (NWS) radar, satellite imagery, winds aloft readings and several other aviation-related weather data from various sources, into a web-based interface accessible by pilots and operators from different airports through the Internet. A preliminary cost estimate was developed to show acquisition, maintenance and related costs for Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS), Automated Weather Observation Systems (AWOS), and Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS). A cost–benefit analysis was developed to identify, quantify and demonstrate the benefits, costs and institutional issues associated with AWOS/ASOS and RWIS data linkage, as well as the potential for cooperative maintenance and deployment of such systems. An evaluation of the prototype system through an online survey was conducted to investigate the usability and utility of the system, the data provided and corresponding interfaces. This report summarizes the various activities that occurred during the course of the project. Some recommendations are presented based on the findings of the cost–benefit analysis and the evaluation of the demonstration prototype.