Date of Award
5-2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Aviation (AvD)
Department
Aeronautics
First Advisor
Deborah S. Carstens, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Michael A. Gallo, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Heidi Hatfield Edwards, Ph.D.
Fourth Advisor
Margaret Wallace, Ed.S., M.B.A.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of weather on ATC complexity and traffic volume in ZDC high sectors in clear vs. convective weather using the AS&T Complexity Tool. This relationship was examined from a combined sector and individual sector perspective using both raw data and daily means for ATC complexity and traffic volume. This study employed an ex post facto effects-type design that used flight trajectory data from the FAA’s System-Wide Information Management (SWIM) Flight Data Publication Service (SFDPS) and weather data from NOAA spanning the year of 2019.
The primary analysis involved raw ATC complexity data (N = 42,942 cases split evenly between each weather condition) and raw traffic volume data (N = 2,958 cases split evenly between each weather condition) captured over 51 consecutive days each of clear and convective weather. The results of independent-samples t tests indicated a significantly higher level of ATC complexity in clear vs. convective weather and a significantly higher level of traffic volume in clear vs. connective weather. The former result was opposite in direction to what was hypothesized, whereas the latter result was consistent with what was hypothesized. A subsequent investigation with respect to the former result discovered that the AS&T Complexity Tool underestimates ATC complexity around weather.
In addition to these primary analyses, a separate comparative analysis was conducted using daily mean ATC complexity levels and daily mean traffic volume levels for clear (n = 51 days) and convective weather (n = 51 days). The results of independent-samples t tests were nearly identical to those of the primary analyses, which confirmed that the daily means were representative of each day’s raw ATC complexity and traffic volume data. An independent weather trend analysis using AERO confirmed that ATC complexity and traffic volume trends were consistent with prior research. Findings build on existing research and contribute to a greater understanding of ATC complexity, traffic volume, and weather events.
Recommended Citation
McCraw, Amber, "The Effect of Weather on ATC Complexity and Traffic Volume in Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZDC) High Sectors" (2024). Theses and Dissertations. 1422.
https://repository.fit.edu/etd/1422
Comments
Copyright held by author.