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Flight Safety and Volcanic Ash – Risk management of flight operations with known or forecast volcanic ash contamination (ICAO Doc 9974).

This paper provides a report on the work being done on information sharing tools for the exchange and collaboration of volcanic ash information. This report is in support of IVATF task TF-VAA03 accordingly.

2. DISCUSSION

2.1 The eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland in 2010 and the associated ash cloud resulted in unprecedented closure of airspace and airports. Over 100,000 flights were canceled affecting 10 million passengers worldwide. Approximately $1.7 billion (U.S) was lost by operators and airports lost an estimated $400 million (U.S.). This event was a “game changer” in the way that volcanic ash events are handled globally. This event showed that improved and real-time collaboration amongst the volcanic ash advisory centers (VAAC), meteorological watch offices (MWO), volcanological agencies, air navigation service providers, and airline operators is needed and is also critical in managing high density airspace on a large scale.

2.2 During the first VAAC Best Practices Seminar, held at ICAO Headquarters in Montreal 13 to 14 February 2012, issues related to collaboration amongst the VAACs and stakeholders was discussed at length. In addition, CDM was discussed during the IVATF/3 (15 to 17 February 2012), as well as the concept of CDM was discussed at IAVWOPSG/6, IVATF/1 and IVATF/2.

2.3 At the Third International Workshop on Volcanic Ash (held in Toulouse, France from 29 September to 3 October 2003), a presentation was given by the United States on the Volcanic Ash Collaboration Tool (VACT). The Anchorage VAAC was leading a project to develop a tool to facilitate real-time collaboration of volcanic ash events between the United States National Weather Service (NWS), the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the United States volcano observatories. This tool was successfully used in North Pacific volcanic ash events. Unfortunately, a proposal to extend the capabilities of this tool in 2007 was not done due to lack of funding support.

3. COLLABORATIVE TOOL TESTED BY THE UNITED STATES

3.1 In 2010, the NWS Alaska Region became a partner in the GOES-R1 Proving Ground project. Part of the GOES-R project required a tool to visualize new GOES-R prototype imagery. A private company, StormCenter Incorporated, was working with the NWS Alaska Region and the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) SPoRT2 to provide a collaborative tool using Google Earth. StormCenter Inc. developed an interface to allow real-time collaboration and situation awareness to take place. StormCenter took all of the work and good ideas from VACT and demonstrated a capability to use the tool for volcanic ash collaboration.

1 GOES-R = Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite – R Series. http://www.goes-r.gov/ 2 NASA – SpoRT = NASA Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center. http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/sport/

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Figure 1. Puff model display of hypothetical Mt. Redoubt eruption 9 May 2012 at 0600 UTC. Note that VAAC and FIR boundary overlays can be overlaid.

3.2 Tool capabilities

3.2.1 This new tool (also known as Envirocast Collaborative Module – Government version or EVCM-G tool) will allow for multiple entities (e.g. VAACs, MWOs, volcano observatories, airline dispatchers, etc.) to collaborate in real-time using Google Earth. The volcanic ash tool has several capabilities such as dispersion model output (e.g. Puff, Ash 3-D, HYSPLIT), satellite data, and other data sources. Figure 1 is an example of the display. In addition, the tool has the capability to use various aviation map overlays (e.g. VAAC boundaries, flight information region boundaries, airways, aviation sectors, etc.). Additional data sources and map overlays may be created in .kml/.kmz format and easily incorporated within the tool.

3.2.2 The requirements for running EVCM-G is a Microsoft Windows-based computer running any version of Google Earth and a small downloadable file (less than 2 MB) that is installed on the computer. This provides the interface to allow Google Earth to run in a collaborative mode. Training on the interface may be accomplished in a few minutes and is mastered through use of the tool. Prior familiarity with Google Earth and its functionalities is very beneficial to the user.

3.2.2.1 Here is a partial list of the tools capabilities:

1) Highlighting tool – allows the session leader to highlight features during a collaborative session;

2) Drawing tools – allows the session leader to create lines, shapes, polygons, etc. to denote features during a collaborative session;

3) Capture screen – Allows the session leader to capture what is shown on

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the Google Earth display and make it available to a web site or to be saved as a .jpg, .gif or other format for emailing to an external stakeholder;

4) Send URL – Allows the session leader to send an URL to session participants for common situational collaboration;

5) Capability to pull a product from a local database and share it collaboratively with participants of the session;

6) Labeling feature – Allows the session leader to create a label or banner to be included on collaboration session

7) Time synch animation – Allows the session leader to sync all animations on each participants session; and

8) Archive – Each session is archived for replay at a later time. This feature may be used for post-event analysis, training, or event review.

Figures 2 and 3 below show examples of the display.

3.3 Testing

3.3.1 Various tests of the EVCM and the updated EVCM-G tool have been conducted by the NWS Alaska Region since 2010. On 03 May 2011 a collaborative test of the EVCM was completed in Alaska on a hypothetical Mt. Redoubt eruption. Several offices were involved including the Alaska Aviation Weather Unit (MWO)/Anchorage VAAC, Anchorage Center Weather Service Unit, Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau Weather Forecast Offices, Alaska Region Headquarters, and StormCenter Incorporated. See the following link: http://www.stormcenter.com/vact/redoubt_collaboration/

3.3.2 On 27 April 2011, a test of the new EVCM-G tool was conducted. Participants included the Montreal VAAC, Anchorage VAAC, Peter Webley (Puff model), NWS Alaska Region Headquarters and StormCenter Incorporated. Some of the capabilities and functionality of the tool were demonstrated and discussed during this session. It was noted that this tool would be helpful in dispersion model output comparisons and would be a good visualization tool for ensembles using various model outputs. Another desired capability of the tool is to offer discussions between VAACs and other specified users when ash clouds are approaching or forecasted to cross VAAC boundaries. These discussions may include, but not limited to, height assignments of the ash plume, areal coverage/extent, and speed of movement. The tool would be helpful for the VAACs to create a seamless product across VAAC boundaries. This concept was supported by the aviation industry who has voiced concern over inconsistencies in products across VAAC boundaries.

3.3.3 Although the EVCM-G tool has only been tested in the meteorological/model environment, the concept could easily be extended to encompass CDM which includes a broader group of partners and stakeholders.

3.4 Process and Protocols

3.4.1  As in the case with any complex process, a series of agreed upon protocols will need to be in place and practiced well in advance of an event. Simple protocols for small collaborative sessions will be sufficient. Details such as establishing when and how long to collaborate, who will facilitate the collaborative session, which products will be displayed and discussed, etc. all need to be decided in advance. Once those protocols are established, the collaboration process may take place.

3.4.2 In a broader CDM context, very explicit rules of engagement must be developed and agreed by the parties involved. For example, if the tool is to be used by multiple VAACs, MWOs,

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volcanological agencies and airline industry representatives, the parties must draft up a procedural document outlining how the collaborative session will take place. One of the key factors is determining a session “facilitator”. This person/agency will guide the session and ensure that all participants follow the agreed rules and protocols.

Figure 2. Ash 3-D hypothetical model run of Eyjafjallajokull 8 May 2012 2016 UTC.

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Figure 3. Surface weather map issued: 1737 UTC 8 May 2012 valid 1200 UTC 9 May 2012 with GOES 3.9 um satellite imagery 8 May 2012 at 2030 UTC. Note: StormCenter collaboration menu (lower left) and session leader menu (upper right).

3.5 Conclusion

3.5.1 NOAA/NWS Alaska Region and its field offices including the Anchorage VAAC will continue to test the EVCM-G tool and provide user feedback. An effort to create an inventory of the type of data required for collaboration during a volcanic ash event over the North Pacific is currently underway. A focused effort on creating pertinent .kml/.kmz files of meteorological model fields, satellite data, and other data sets (e.g. OMI SO2 plots) is on-going.

3.5.2 More testing with neighbouring VAACs and MWOs and other partner agencies and stakeholders is needed to better understand how the tool functions with multiple users.

3.5.3 Pro’s and con’s to StormCenter EVCM-G:

Description Pro’s Con’s EVCM-G Envirocast Collaboration

Module – Government version (Google Earth based collaborative tool – application to volcanic ash CDM)

• Flexibility in use (only need Google Earth to run)

• Training on the tool is minimal with Google Earth experience

• Flexibility to collaborate on data available on the web or local databases

• Ability to annotate graphics • Ability to archive sessions

• .kml/.kmz may not integrate well with other systems

• system response/internet bandwidth issues particularly with increasing number of users

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4. EVITA – COLLABORATIVE TOOL DEVELOPED BY EUROCONTROL

4.1 EVITA (European crisis Visualisation Interactive Tool for ATFCM) is a tool that will support decision making in crisis events that have adverse impact on aviation in Europe. It has been developed by EUROCONTROL through a wide consultation with representatives of airlines, national supervisory authorities, air navigation service providers and meteorological offices.

4.2 An information paper (IP) will be presented at this meeting (IVATF/4) along with a detailed description of EVITA and also include fresh feedback from the latest European and North Atlantic regional exercise VOLCEX 12/01 conducted on 26 and 27 Apr 2012

5. RECOMMENDATION

5.1 In light of the success seen by EUROCONTROL and the United States with using collaborative decision tools, it is logical for the task force to endorse these efforts and to propose that a body, such as IAVWOPSG, to further promote its use and perhaps offer guidelines to expand and standardize for global use. Of special interest should be its use in collaboration between VAACs and interested stakeholders for decisions relating to the depiction of the ash cloud in the volcanic ash advisory.

5.2 In view of the foregoing, the task force is invited to formulate the following recommendation:

Recommendation 4/xx —

That, the International Airways Volcano Watch Operations Group (IAVWOPSG) be invited to propose guidelines for the applicationof collaborative decision making tools for collaboration betweenvolcanic ash advisory centres (VAACs) and concerned stakeholderson decisions relating to the location and depiction of a volcanic ash cloud in the volcanic ash advisory.

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6. ACTION BY THE IVATF

6.1 The IVATF is invited to:

a) note the information contained in this paper; and

b) decide on a recommendation for the task force’s consideration.

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