Proposal for Alaska Aviation Weather Enhancement Assessment Utilizing
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Dr. Cherie Northon and Dr. Thomas Eley

Department of Geomatics, University of Alaska Anchorage

July 29, 2003

### 

### 

**Background:**

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer-based systems that
allow integration, mapping, and analyses of spatial data of all kinds
(Figure 1). GIS has been called the "digital lens" for analyzing the
dynamic relationships between people and their environment. Nowhere are
spatial data and human-environmental interactions more evident and
important than in aviation. Alaska is a flying state, with many towns
and villages only accessible by air. Most visitors to Alaska arrive by
air, and Alaska has the highest per capita private airplane ownership
and airplane pilots of any state. It is time to incorporate GIS into
aviation operations, planning, and safety.

![](media/image1.png){width="1.2in" height="1.4770833333333333in"}

**Objectives:**

The goal of this proposed project is to gather selected existing
geospatial data sets of Alaska that are important to aviation in order
to demonstrate how a Geographic Information System (GIS) could be used
to enhance the State's aviation operations, planning, and safety.
Initially, the target datasets would encompass:

-   State and Municipal Public Use Airports

-   Weather reporting facilities (aviation quality automated and
    augmented observations)

-   Terrain

-   Flight routes

    -   Visual

    -   Victor Airways

    -   Other

-   Weather related aviation accidents

-   Weather forecast areas

These datasets will then be brought into the aviation GIS database,
where mapping and analysis of the data can be accomplished. The GIS
would allow multivariate analyses of aviation issues, such as accidents
in relation to flight routes, terrain, weather reporting facilities and
forecast areas, and communications facilities. This GIS can later be
enlarged to include other databases and conduct other analyses to
enhance aviation in Alaska.

**Implementation Plan:**

The data sets listed above will be acquired and incorporated into a
state-wide aviation database. With the consultation of the sponsors, a
small user team with representation from the FAA, NWS and aviation
community will be established to work with the project staff on this
project. Initial maps will be generated showing the data sets for
validation by user team. After validation, project staff will work with
the user team to make a special product used to display the planned
surface weather observing equipment and weather camera locations and
evaluate these locations with respect to parameters supplied by the
team, such as terrain, airport location, and positions of fatal
weather-related accidents. The special product will be presented to the
team for review and refinement. During this phase of the project, entry
level training will be provided for up to ten members of the NWS and
other cooperating agencies. This training will be an introduction to
ArcView, and will feature the Aviation GIS product developed during the
project.

Following development of the initial aviation GIS database and special
product, project staff will present the results to the sponsors, and
discuss possible follow-on activities including, but not limited to,
including expansion or refinement of the databases, options for
long-term maintenance, training in GIS technologies for staff, etc.

In the final phase of the project, the project staff will develop a
conceptual framework for a long-term, operational GIS for Alaskan
aviation infrastructure. The recommendations will include consideration
of elements beyond those used in the demonstration project, an
architecture for the system, and other factors required to make a
successful long-term planning tool.

**Schedule:**

[Phase I]{.underline}:

Following project approval, establishment of the user team with
representatives from the sponsors and aviation community. Acquisition
and construction of the initial data base and data layers. NWS to
provide a list of Alaska aviation fatalities as part of the data sets.
Generation of initial data products for validation. (16 weeks)

[Phase II]{.underline}:

Validation of initial data layers by the user team. Identify parameters
to be used for special product development. (4 weeks)

[Phase III]{.underline}:

Development of a special product. Presentation to user team, and
refinement based on feedback. Presentation of final products to the user
team and project sponsors. Consultation with sponsors and development of
recommendations for follow on activities. Three-day training group
session encompassing an introduction to ArcView and the Aviation GIS
product---assuming novice GIS users. Student capacity---10.

(8 weeks)

[Phase IV:]{.underline}

For the final phase of the project, the project staff will develop a
conceptual framework for a long-term, operational GIS for Alaskan
aviation infrastructure. The framework will include elements beyond
those incorporated in the initial project and will consider options for
the architecture of the system, recommendations for implementation, use
of standards and rough order of magnitude costs. (6 weeks)