Thunderstorm Impact on Denver Air Traffic Control Operations and the Role of NEXRAD (Next Generation Weather Radar)

摘要

The report describes the impact of thunderstorms on the Denver Air Traffic Control (ATC) operation and the potential role of the Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) in reducing that impact. The investigation was conducted in two stages. First, data collected at Denver during the summer of 1982 in collaboration with the JAWS Project was used to produce several one- to two-hour case studies. These case studies document specific thunderstorm-impacted ATC situations in terms of traffic disruption, aircraft delay, and pilot-reported encounters with turbulence, wind shear, microbursts, heavy rainfall and hail. Second, these case studies were used as a basis for follow-up discussions with Denver ATC personnel concerning the general impact of thunderstorms on their operation and the role that NEXRAD could play in reducing that impact. The result of the investigation is a qualitative and, where possible, quantitative description of the impact of thunderstorms on arrivals and departures at Stapleton International Airport. This description covers operations under the control of the following ATC facilities: the Stapleton ATCT, Denver TRACON and Denver ARTCC.