Results of the Kansas City 1989 Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) operational Evaluation Testing

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Abstract:

The Terminal Doppler Weather Radar TDWR testbed was used at the Kansas City International KCI airport during the summer of 1989. The objective was to test and refine previous tested techniques for the automatic detection of low-altitude wind shear phenomena specifically microbursts and gun fronts and heavy precipitation in a midwest weather environmental, as well as to assess possible new products such as storm movement predictions. A successful operation evaluation of the TDWR products took place at the KCI tower and terminal radar control room TRACON. Several supervisor and controller display refinements were assessed as effective. The system was successful in terms of aircraft at KCI avoiding wind shear encounters during the operational period, and it was assessed as very good in usefullness for continuing operation by the KCI air traffic control ATC personnel. The probability of detection for microbursts was substantially better than that in Denver. However, the false-alarm probability was found to be substantially higher in Kansas City due to a combination of weather and clutter phenomena. By optimizing the site-adaptation capabilities of the TDWR meteorological and data quality algorithms, the required false-alarm probability was achieved. The gust front performance was generally poorer than in Denver due to a combination of unfavorable radar- airport-gust front geometry of false alarms induced by low-level jets Gust front algorithm refinements which should provide improved performance are discussed. Keywords Meteorological radar Airport radar systems Wind shear Doppler radar.

Author(s):
Evans, J. E.
Author Organization(s):
MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH LEXINGTON LINCOLN LAB
Descriptive Note:
Project rept.
Supplementary Note:
Original contains color plates: All DTIC and NTIS reproductions will be in black and white.
Pagination:
0080

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
ATC-171, DOT/FAA/NR-90/1
Contract/Grant Number(s):
DTFA01-83-4-10579
Monitor Series:
90/1
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_5.3.3_Develop Strategy; JCA_5.3.4_Develop Courses of Action; JCA_5.3.5_Analyze Courses of Action; JCA_5.3.2_Apply Situational Understanding; JCA_5.2_Understand; JCA_5.2.3_Share Knowledge and Situational Awareness; JCA_5.5.1_Communicate Intent and Guidance; JCA_5.5_Direct; JCA_1.2.7_Experimentation; JCA_1.2.6_Concepts; JCA_1.2.1_Training; JCA_1.2.3_Educating
Modernization Areas:
Space
Communities of Interest:
Air Platforms
Descriptor(s):
*CLUTTER, *DOPPLER RADAR, *PRECIPITATION, *AIRPORT RADAR SYSTEMS, *METEOROLOGICAL RADAR, *WIND SHEAR, *STORMS, DATA MANAGEMENT, PREDICTIONS, PROBABILITY, FALSE ALARMS, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS, OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, CONTROL CENTERS, DISPLAY SYSTEMS, TERMINAL FLIGHT FACILITIES, QUALITY, OPERATION, METEOROLOGY, RADAR EQUIPMENT, SUPERVISORS, AUTOMATIC, LOW ALTITUDE, WEATHER, AIRCRAFT, DETECTION, TEST BEDS, CONTROL, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TERMINAL AREAS, TEST AND EVALUATION, ALGORITHMS
Field(s)/Group(s):
Meteorology, Active and Passive Radar Detection and Equipment
Report Date:
1990 Aug 17