Integration of Aviation AWOS with RWIS

The Integration of Aviation AWOS with RWIS application is an easy-to-use web-based tool for users from California’s airports and heliports, particularly those used for EMS. It provides them with localized and timely weather condition and forecast information. As a prototype, the application provides stakeholders with an initial design of a web platform that can be reviewed and critiqued. Based on this review and critique, changes, enhancements and so forth will be incorporated during future project phases.

Click here to visit aviation.weathershare.org Click here to visit aviation.weathershare.org.

Recent Updates:

AWOS/RWIS Project Update, 5/3/2017: Phase III Kicks Off AWOS/RWIS Project Update, 2/8/2016: Phase II Completed AWOS/RWIS Project Update, 12/3/2015: Phase II Final Report Presentation AWOS/RWIS Project Update, 2/4/2015: Aviation WeatherShare Provides Essential Information to Aviation Personnel AWOS/RWIS Project Update, 4/29/2014: Project team participates in California Aviation Day at the Capitol AWOS/RWIS Project Update, 4/15/2014: 2014 California Aviation Day
Phase III Kicks Off
May 3rd, 2017
Phase II Completed
February 8th, 2016
Phase II Final Report Presentation
December 3rd, 2015
Aviation WeatherShare Provides Essential Information to Aviation Personnel
February 4th, 2015
Project team participates in California Aviation Day at the Capitol
April 29th, 2014
2014 California Aviation Day
April 15th, 2014

Check back soon for more AWOS/RWIS updates.


UPDATE: Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017

Through Phases 1 and 2 of the Integration of AWOS/ASOS with RWIS project, the research team developed and launched the Aviation Weather Information system and website that aggregates and displays important aviation weather information and forecasts from numerous sources. On a single website, the weather information covers the entire state of California and provides a broader picture of weather that could affect aviation in areas that otherwise would not have this capability.

Phase III of the Integration of Aviation AWOS with RWIS project has just begun. The research team and the Project Technical Advisory Panel (PTAP) held a Kick Off meeting on Thursday, March 2nd, 2017. During this phase of the project, the website and its systems will be migrated from Montana State University to a Caltrans server to be maintained and supported by Caltrans IT.

The screenshot below from the current website shows the Surface Wind Speed layer. This layer displays the current direction and magnitude of the wind on the ground as it is reported by various weather stations.

Aviation Weather Information website screenshot, 2017-05-03, Surface Wind Speed.

The Wind Aloft layer shows the current direction and magnitude of the wind at various altitudes with an easy to understand visual display.

Aviation Weather Information website screenshot, 2017-05-03, Wind Aloft Speed at 3000 ft.

This process has several goals to allow for the transfer to go smoothly. The main goals in this phase include:

  • Providing Information Technology Services Department (ITSD) staff with information about the processes of the site so that they are well equipped to install and maintain the site effectively.
  • Supplying Caltrans with all of the final code, images and files that allow the site to function fully and create all the layers of the Aviation Weather Information Map.
  • Provide Caltrans with the scripts necessary to retrieve and process data and generate the KML and JSON files needed for the map.
  • Prepare and distribute the documents needed for Caltrans to implement the Aviation Weather Information Map on their servers.

To accomplish the goals listed above, there are several tasks that the research team will accomplish:

Task 1: Site Review and Update

The main goal of this task is to make sure that the site is currently operating with full functionality and to provide Caltrans with some of the files needed to run the site. Since the end of Phase II and the start of Phase III some time has elapsed during which provider data locations and formats, web browser versions, etc. may have changed. These changes may have affected the functionality of the Aviation Weather Information system. The research team will review the system and ensure that any affected functionality is fixed and the system is fully operational.

Task 2: Stand-alone Demonstration CentOS Installation

The research team will install the system on a virtual, stand-alone CentOS server at WTI to demonstrate the capacity for the program to run on a standard CentOS server.

Task 3: System Documentation

The research team will produce documentation with recommendations on how to implement, install, configure, operate, maintain and support the Aviation Weather Information system. This documentation will include a user guide and “cheat sheets.”

Task 4: Technical Support

Technical support will be provided to Caltrans as needed via phone or email to assist with the implementation and operation of the system.

Check out the Aviation Weather Information site at http://aviation.weathershare.org/.

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Project Contacts:

Caltrans Project Manager:

Melissa Clark
Caltrans Division of Research, Innovation,
and System Information
1227 O Street, PO Box 942873
Sacramento, CA 94273-0001
Work: (916) 227-4172
Fax:   (916) 657-4677
melissa.clark "at" dot.ca.gov
https://dot.ca.gov/programs/research-innovation-system-information

Caltrans Project Champion:

Terry Barrie
Chief, Office of Aviation Planning
Caltrans Division of Aeronautics
P. O. Box 942874
Sacramento, CA 94274-0001
Work: (916) 654-4151
terry_barrie "at" dot.ca.gov
https://dot.ca.gov/programs/aeronautics

Principal Investigator:

Douglas Galarus
Assistant Professor
Department of Computer Science
Montana Tech
Museum 202
1300 West Park Street
Butte, MT 59701
(406) 496-4858
dgalarus "at" mtech.edu
https://cs.mtech.edu/

SJSU / Mineta Principal Investigator:

Wenbin Wei, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Aviation and Technology
Director of Human Automation Integration Lab (HAIL)
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA 95192-0061
Phone: (408) 924-3206
Wenbin.Wei "at" sjsu.edu
http://transweb.sjsu.edu/


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