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Lightning-Warning Systems for Use by Airports (2008) / Chapter Skim
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Summary
Pages 1-6

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From page 1...
... This is because there is no requirement to report such incidents to federal or state agencies, and most of the known data is derived from anecdotal reports and informal studies by individuals having an interest in the subject. While it is recognized that ramp closures affect the flow of aircraft operations and cause passenger delays that can ripple through the national air transportation system, neither government agencies nor airport and aircraft operators have compiled closure statistics that are available for public information.
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From page 2...
... This practice can extend to airport employee decisions to stop and resume outdoor work activities. There can be instances when such "follow the leader" tactics are not observed, such as when relatively large distances separate airline ramp operations areas, and one airline continues to operate while others have suspended ramp activity, creating a situation that can be confusing to passengers of those airlines.
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From page 3...
... Airport geographical settings, weather phenomena characteristics, airport facilities layout, airline business models and operating procedures, labor union agreements, liability issues, and cost allocation processes are just some of the primary factors that do not lend themselves to standardization. Operational Cost Analysis An evaluation of the financial and operational impacts on the national air transportation system resulting from ramp closures associated with lightning strikes was conducted as part of this research study.
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From page 4...
... The savings represent those for a yearly period of activity and reflect the number of lightning events and aircraft delay statistics. As indicated in Table S-2, the potential savings from a ten-minute improvement in delay time during peak operating hours at Orlando is approximately $2.8 million, compared to the $6.2 million calculated for Chicago.
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From page 5...
... Because safety concerns for the ramp workers are paramount, it appears the airlines and airports will likely err on the side of caution in closing ramp operations. This suggests that the most likely path to improved operational efficiency is in being able to sound an "all clear" as quickly as possible after the initial event, as long as it can be done without compromising safety.
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From page 6...
... impacts on ramp activity. This may include lightning cell tracking and echo movement vector analysis that can serve to minimize the number and duration of ramp closures.
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Key Terms

  • lightning events
  • ramp closures
  • lightning strike
  • lightning strikes
  • ramp operations

  • outdoor activities
  • potential savings
  • lightning event
  • ramp closure
  • ramp workers

  • ramp lightning
  • ramp activity
  • activity airport
  • aircraft activity
  • strike data

  • delay time
  • national air
  • cost analysis
  • weather phenomena
  • ning strike

  • activity levels
  • individual airlines
  • direct costs
  • statute miles
  • worker safety

  • air transportation
  • airport lightning
  • lightning hazards
  • reporting lightning
  • potential lightning


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