Accession Number:

ADA379640

Title:

National Convective Weather Forecast (NCWF) Product Demonstration Final Report

Descriptive Note:

Technical note

Corporate Author:

WILLIAM J HUGHES TECHNICAL CENTER ATLANTIC CITY NJ

Personal Author(s):

• Benner, William
• Carty, Thomas

Report Date:

2000-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

68.0

Abstract:

This report describes the Demonstration of the National Convective Weather Forecast NCWF Product conducted by ACT-320 at Delta, Atlantic Coast, and Northwest Airlines dispatch centers from June 22 through October 19,1998. The web-based NCWF, developed by scientists from the National Center for Atmospheric Research NCAR, provides graphical information regarding the current detection and forecast locations of thunderstorms both nationally and regionally. The algorithm produces a 60-minute forecast. The Demonstration was conducted from a Human Factors perspective and was essentially a usability study assessing the utility, performance, and user-computer interface aspects of the NCWF Product. Job-task benefits to the airline dispatcher community were also assessed. Dispatchers who participated in the study provided data via the use of questionnaires, on-line logs, and individual structured interviews. Overall, the product was positively rated. However, some changes and improvements may make the NCWF more useful for airline dispatchers. This document describes Demonstration activities, reports results from the data collection effort, and identifies areas needing improvement.

Descriptors:

• *WEATHER FORECASTING
• *CONVECTION(ATMOSPHERIC)
• *THUNDERSTORMS
• DEMONSTRATIONS
• METEOROLOGICAL DATA
• HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING
• LIGHTNING
• MAN COMPUTER INTERFACE
• ONLINE SYSTEMS

Subject Categories:

• Meteorology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE