Lightning risk at the airport: New system warns in real time!

Lightning risk at the airport: New system warns in real time!

Grazer Flughafen, 8020 Graz, Österreich - risk of flash in the sky: When thunderstorms, flash loads can be extremely risky for people who perform outdoor activities. Therefore, if there is a risk of thunderstorms in places with high lightning exposure, such as at Graz Airport, there are immediate security measures and a complete stop of all work. This was confirmed by orf.at . The duration of such interruptions can range from a few minutes to several hours, which leads to massive delays in flight operations and ultimately causes high follow -up costs.

In order to defuse these critical situations, electrical engineers from the TU Graz have developed an innovative forecast system that can assess the flash risk in real time. The so -called Real Time Lightning Risk Assessment (RTLRA) uses a network of six electrical field mills that measure the electrostatic field strength around the airport. These measurements are combined in real time with data from the Austrian flash location system Aldis and weather radar information from the Austro Control in order to make precise predictions about lightningload. As tugraz.at , the system was able to successfully predict the time of the first flash discharge in over 75 percent, and a neuronal network even increases the hit rate to over 85 Percent.

Mobile measuring system scores in flash research

An additional mobile measuring system that combines optical and electrical fields enables comprehensive lightning studies and the collection of "Ground Truth" data. This innovative technology evaluates cloud earth flash in the Alpine region and provides significant information about your type and properties. In contrast to traditional methods, which are mostly locally and limited, the mobile system captures flash loads in different regions. Scientists hope that the more precise data hopes for an improved analysis and forecast of science events, which could not only be important for airport operation, but also for open -air events and construction sites.