Modeling weather in simulation and analysis

In the concept development and validation process, fast-time simulation and modeling exercises are performed to examine system performance, obtain initial assessments of potential benefits, and to identify potential problem areas where real-time simulation studies are necessary for further exploration [1]. Despite the immense impact weather has on the National Airspace System (NAS), most simulation and analysis tools are unable to represent weather activity. This creates a large gap in the capabilities of future concept analysis such that potential benefits of some operational improvements cannot be quantified. The FAA's Concept Analysis Branch (ANG-C41) developed a tool which uses high fidelity weather data to create weather polygons. These weather polygons provide a much more concise model to store and process in simulation and analysis tools. In a fast-time simulation environment, the weather polygons can be modeled as restricted airspace that moves across the NAS. This enables researchers to measure the impact of operational improvements on weather-related flight delays. The weather polygons can also be used in analytical tools such as ANG-C41's FliteViz4D. Incorporating the weather polygons into this tool allows the user to animate both air traffic and weather in one three-dimensional view. This is very useful when examining the impact of weather on air traffic. In this paper, the Concept Analysis Branch describes the process of creating and using weather polygons for simulation and analysis activities. An example study is discussed where weather polygons are used to determine the impact of weather on flight efficiency in today's NAS. Finally, the weather polygons are tested in a fast-time simulation environment.