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The Air Traffic Control (ATC) productivity benefits attributed to the Corridor Integrated Weather System (CIWS) were assessed using real-time observations of CIWS product usage during three multi-day thunderstorm events in 2005 at eight U.S. Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs). CIWS improved ATC productivity by: reducing the time required to develop, coordinate, and implement weather impact mitigation plans; increasing the number of safety and capacity-enhancing plans that were executed (e.g., more efficient, proactive rerouting and greater ability to keep routes open; [and] assisting with FAA staffing decisions. Time savings per consecutive weather day for Traffic Management Coordinators (TMCs) in an ARTCC typically were 20-95 minutes. The overall frequency of capacity-enhancing decisions increased by 177% relative to the CIWS benefits study conducted in 2003. The annual CIWS delay savings are in excess of 92,000 hours. Corresponding airline direct operations cost (DOC) savings exceeded $94M and passenger value of time (PVT) savings exceeded $201M. Annual jet fuel savings exceeded 11M gallons. The ability of the Cleveland ARTCC to develop and execute weather impact mitigation plans improved significantly (e.g., by 50-80%) when CIWS products were available to Area Supervisors as well as to the TMCs.

In an era of significant federal government budget austerity for civil aviation operations, it has become essential to improve Air Traffic Control (ATC) productivity. This report summarizes the results of an exploratory field measurement program conducted during summer 2005 to assess ATC productivity benefits of the Corridor Integrated Weather System (CIWS). Real-time observations of CIWS product usage during multi-day thunderstorm events were carried out at eight U.S. Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC). The real time observations data were used in conjunction with specific in-depth case study analyses to assess the CIWS productivity enhancements associated with convective weather impact mitigation plan development and implementation. Comparisons of ARTCC operations between facilities with and without access to CIWS were alos made to further identify CIWS contributions to improved ATC productivity.