Evaluation of the Vaisala LT31 Transmissometer as a “Gold Standard” Visibility Sensor: Market Research, Test Experiences, and Validation

Details

• Creators:
  Snyder, Carl ; Scarpone, Christopher ; Samiljan, Robert
• Corporate Creators:
  John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Aviation
  • Federal government agencies
  • Weather
  • Visibility
  • Sensors
  • Transmissometer
  • Forward scatter meter
  • Vaisala
  • LT31
  • Tasker
  More +
• Publication/ Report Number:
  DOT-VNTSC-FAA-24-06
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Edition:
  Final Report, October 2019 – July 2023
• Contracting Officer:
  Synder, Carl
• Corporate Publisher:
  John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
• Abstract:
  The FAA sponsored the Volpe Center to identify, acquire, and test a replacement sensor for its existing visibility standard, the Tasker 500 transmissometer. The Volpe Center identified the Vaisala LT31 as a viable candidate; purchased an LT31 and installed it side-by-side with a Tasker 500 transmissometer and other weather sensors; and collected and analyzed data from a one-year collection period to assess the feasibility of replacing the Tasker 500 standard with the Vaisala LT31. This report details the market research, data collection campaign, and results of the side-by-side comparison, with a recommendation that the FAA adopt the Vaisala LT31 for use as the new visibility standard.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  693KA8-19-N-00018 ; 693KA8-21-N-00010
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/78234/dot_78234_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 4.61 MB]
• Collection(s):
  Volpe Center ; Federal Aviation Administration
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:bcbb73500ff194649a32c2cb92936419ea2b466031a476afa699daf0cb4f3e9304fc567f0398000069cf184e6478310f4acce11fb51496cf69f583110b45a307