Collaborative Decision Making

ITWS

ITWS Description
-- from the FAA ITWS site http://www.faa.gov/ats/atb/Sectors/Automation/TIPDS/ITWS/index.html

What Is ITWS?
The Integrated Terminal Weather System (ITWS) is an automated weather information system, and it uses a variety of weather sensors to make full use of airport runways in all kinds of weather.

What Does ITWS Do?
The ITWS receives data from weather and surveillance radars and sensors, and then uses computer software to display current weather information in graphic and text formats. The ITWS provides weather products that are easy to understand and it removes the need for interpretation by meteorologists.

What Weather Information Does ITWS Use?
The ITWS receives data from FAA and National Weather Service (NWS) sensors as well as airborne aircraft flying within a few miles of airports. The ITWS uses weather products such as the Terminal Doppler Weather Radar, Next Generation Weather Radar, and Airport Surveillance Radar-Model 9. Other inputs are received from the National Lightning Detection Network, NWS Rapid Update Cycle data, and the Meteorological Data Collection and Reporting System. The ITWS also uses the Low Level Wind Shear Alert System and Automated Weather Observing System and Automated Surface Observing System.

What Weather Information Does ITWS Generate?
ITWS detects and predicts wind shear, microbursts and gust fronts and it displays current precipitation levels. The system tracks the speed and direction of storm cells, and predicts the movement of storms. It also detects hail, lightning, and tornadoes.

More on ITWS. . .

Production Deployment Schedule as of September 2005 PowerPoint (312 KB) Posted November 22, 2004	FAA MOA MS Word (155 KB) Posted December 20, 2005
ITWS Data Feed ICD (Volpe to User) v2.0 MS Word (286 KB) Posted November 1, 2005	ITWS Technical considerations for Volpe connection v1.1 MS Word (220 KB) Posted January 1, 2006
ITWS Web Training PowerPoint (1.31 MB) Posted December 20, 2004
ITWS Help Files Zip File (375 KB) When you unzip this file, you get a folder named "Help" containing 67 objects including itwsweb_help.html. When you double click on this you get the online ITWS Web Help. Posted December 20, 2004

*Web sites:*
http://www.faa.gov/ats/atb/Sectors/Automation/TIPDS/ITWS/index.html http://www.ll.mit.edu/AviationWeather/index.html http://www.wx.ll.mit.edu/itws (requires username/password)