![two scientists sit at a desk in front of two computer screens; the screens show radar images of tornadoes.](/sites/default/files/styles/news_3_up/public/news/image/2024-04/529011-001%20copy_0.jpg?itok=mGihp9P4)
![In the control tower simulation facility, an Air Traffic Control Systems staff member uses integrated electronic flight data and surveillance systems to direct an aircraft to taxi toward the runway.](/sites/default/files/styles/ifde_hero/public/rdgroup/image/2018-03/510425-002D_smaller.jpg?h=e12167fc&itok=S7_MpAoi)
Air Traffic Control and Weather Systems
The safe and efficient flow of aircraft in today's skies depends on a suite of weather sensing and traffic management technologies. Our group aims to improve air transportation by developing sensors, weather tracking and forecasting systems, and decision support automation that assists pilots and air traffic controllers in routing aircraft out of harm's way and maintaining smooth traffic patterns. To ensure user acceptance and the effectiveness of our technologies, we rely on extensive analysis and field evaluations and draw upon diverse areas of expertise, including signal processing, meteorology, software engineering, machine learning, human factors, and more. The systems our researchers have developed currently operate nationwide to minimize weather-related delays and protect aircraft against accidents. In addition to air traffic management, we are conducting initiatives in transportation logistics, the reduction of aircraft noise and environmental impacts, and cyber-secure information systems.
Featured Projects
![Two photos are shown of the same landscape. The left hand photo shows a clear day, with a mountain in the distance. The right hand side shows a foggy view, with the mountain obscured.](/sites/default/files/styles/list/public/project/image/2023-09/VEIA_0.png?itok=D8uYxg7g)
Visibility Estimation through Image Analytics
![a screenshot of a user interface shows a world map with radar-like depictions of rain bands, colored blue, green, and yellow.](/sites/default/files/styles/list/public/project/image/2022-10/GWSR.png?h=40ac80e7&itok=uWsLvja9)
Global Synthetic Weather Radar
![A graphic showing radar-like storm coverage over a Google map image of land, and red/yellow/green zones of predicated tornado path..](/sites/default/files/styles/list/public/project/image/2022-03/ITORPE-big.png?h=5d0c5926&itok=AMQIld8H)
Intelligent Tornado Prediction Engine
![A large KC-135R tanker aircraft refuels an F-15 Eagle aircraft while they in mid air.](/sites/default/files/styles/list/public/news/image/2021-07/Refueling.jpg?itok=oKE_bBi9)
Aerial Refueling Optimization Engine
![The LASSOS display screen highlights the laser strike event in live sensor imagery on the left and generates a 3D model of the laser streak in Google Earth, right.](/sites/default/files/styles/list/public/project/image/2018-03/LASSOS-screen-highlight.jpg?h=70488f4c&itok=P6YFGpwD)
Laser Aircraft Strike Suppression Optical System
Latest News
![UAV](/sites/default/files/styles/news_3_up/public/news/image/2024-02/CDA%20UAV.jpeg?itok=E4Uw_r_l)