What's New

VACT

Release of version 2.2B of the Volcanic Ash Coordination Tool (VACT): Version 2.2B of ESRL’S Volcanic Ash Coordination Tool (VACT) was released in May 2008 and installed at four NWS field sites in Alaska. Version 2.2B contains the following enhancements:

Improved polar orbiter satellite data sets.
Template procedures for all Alaska Volcanoes (One mouse click and display centers over selected volcano with volcanic ash satellite imagery displayed).
Anchorage Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) map added.
Improved granularity of ARTCC specific maps to help resolve clutter issues.
Ability to create a procedure with out specifying any products.

VACT

TMU

Release of version 2.2B of the Traffic Management Unit (TMU) Tool: Version 2.2B of the TMU tool was released in May 2008. The new software was installed on the CWSU FXC client system in Fort Worth and the Tactical Convective Hazard Product web site software was updated with the new software suite. Version 2.2B contains the following enhancements for use in Fort Worth:

Fixes to AIRMET/SIGMET ingest process to resolve timing of LDM data packet receive issues.
Fixes to AIRMET/SIGMET decoder to resolve buffer over flow issues.
Improved granularity of ARTCC specific maps to help resolve clutter issues.
Ability to create a procedure with out specifying any products.
Fixed ZFW TMU boundaries so that they match arrival and departure routes.
Fixes to TMU web site automated image labels.
Replaced TMU web site jet route map with impacts to jet routes graphic.
Replaced TMU web site STARs map with impacts to STARs graphic.
Replaced TMU web site SIDs map with impacts to SIDs graphic.
Fixed TMU web site and FXC color bars for NCWF2 products.

TMU

Technology Transfered to Operations

Transfer of Aviation Products to NWS Operational Systems: Aviation products developed by ESRL's Global Systems Division have been successfully implemented into OB8.2 and OB8.3 versions of AWIPS. Aviation Technology Successfully Transferred

VACT Wins Bronze

Department Of Commerce Bronze Medal Award: For developing the Volcanic Ash Coordination Tool a tool which provides forecasting capabilities for volcanic eruptions and is essential for reducing societal impact during volcanic ash events. VACT

TMU Decision Aids Used Operationally

Operational Use Of Decision Aid Products: "On December 29th, 2006 a major convective event affected the Fort Worth Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZWF ARTCC), the Dallas-Fort Worth Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), and the terminal area. To aid in the forecast and decision making of this event, CWSU forecasters and the ZFW Traffic Management Unit used Tactical Decision Aid (TDA) products developed by ESRL’s Global Systems Division (GSD)." Texas Forecast Decision Makers Use Of ESRL's Tactical Decision Aid Products

TMU Project Wins Meteorolgy Award

ASDAD Team Accepts Aviation Meteorology Award: Recognized for our "...sustained superior performance in enhancing and developing new methodologies for displaying aviation weather information resulting in improved flight safety and efficiency in the National Airspace System." Read award article and view award plaque.