RWIS

Safety is the primary objective for airports and runways all over the world. In this context, and in any other, weather is a major, unpredictable variable. Heavy winds, rain, snow, hail, ice and poor visibility make weather management a key component for any runway operator.

RWIS is your surveillance system that uses sensors and subsystems to monitor and send out early warning signals before conditions become critical.

The computerized weather system of RWIS consists of sensors, fixed stations and dataloggers that communicate with interface MIDAS. Embedded sensors detect surface temperature, surface freezing point, and type and depth of contamination. Fixed weather stations collect data on air temperature, wind direction, humidity and gives a visual image. The camera adds a dimension making it possible to see the precipitation in real time. Dataloggers compile all data into the back-end server before it reaches the operator via MIDAS.

For larger airports, costs for de-icing could be cut in half. With more precise data the operator can apply the exact amount de-icing, not less and not more, to achieve perfect road or runway conditions. With de-icing in frosty regions typically being a costly, but highly necessary routine, a well-functioning system to help regulate the amount of deicing and avoid excessive application, costs for daily maintenance are easily reduced.

RWIS and runway assessment platform MIDAS are designed to compile weather and contamination data to accumulate an updated overview of current road and runway conditions. The systems are also designed to assess data needed to fill out the new Global Reporting Format, the GRF. If desired, this process can easily be made automated with RWIS and our app-based runway assessment software SNAp 2.0. With RWIS, weather data assessment is taken care of and presented to you as a full and firm information on the precise condition of your road or runway. RWIS gives you on the minute updates on the current condition but also calculates trends to help operators meet the best decision right now as well as preparing them for what is to come in the next few hours.

When data are plentiful and numbers more precise, we have what conditions we need to increase safety – if we can interpret and translate the numbers into task-oriented tools. RWIS compiles data from different sensors and communicates them to MIDAS. The user-friendly interface of MIDAS presents the data to the operator who then can meet the best possible decisions. This constant up to date readiness is key for any operator to guarantee runway safety.

When we apply only the exact amount of de-icing, we also do our surrounding environment a great favor. With just as much dosage as necessary to maintain and optimize safety, no unnecessary chemicals or substances reaches the ground surrounding the road or runway. Add to that, fewer transports during deliveries and application. The more precise we can be, the more the environment will thank us.