Incorporating emergency management needs in the development of weather radar networks

Ellen J. Bass, PhD; Leigh Baumgart, MS; Brenda Philips, MBA; Kevin Kloesel, PhD; Kathleen Dougherty, MA; Havidan Rodriguez, PhD; Walter Diaz, PhD; William Donner, PhD; Jenniffer Santos, MS; Michael Zink, PhD

doi:10.5055/jem.2009.0086

Authors

Ellen J. Bass, PhD
Leigh Baumgart, MS
Brenda Philips, MBA
Kevin Kloesel, PhD
Kathleen Dougherty, MA
Havidan Rodriguez, PhD
Walter Diaz, PhD
William Donner, PhD
Jenniffer Santos, MS
Michael Zink, PhD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2009.0086

Keywords:

weather radar, decision making, highresolution radar

Abstract

The Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA) is developing networks of lowpower, low-cost radars that adaptively collect, process, and visualize high-resolution data in the lowest portion of the atmosphere. CASA researchers are working with emergency managers (EM) to ensure that the network concept is designed with EMs’ needs in mind. Interviews, surveys, analysis of product usage logs, and simulated scenarios are being used to solicit EM input. Results indicate the need for products for both high- and low-bandwidth end users, visualizations for velocity products that are more easily interpreted, and enhanced training. CASA researchers are developing interventions to address these needs.

Author Biographies

Ellen J. Bass, PhD

Systems and Information Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Leigh Baumgart, MS

Systems and Information Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Brenda Philips, MBA

Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere Engineering Research Center, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts.

Kevin Kloesel, PhD

College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences, Oklahoma University, Norman, Oklahoma.

Kathleen Dougherty, MA

College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences, Oklahoma University, Norman, Oklahoma.

Havidan Rodriguez, PhD

Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice, Disaster Research Center, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware.

Walter Diaz, PhD

Center for Applied Social Research, Department of Social Sciences, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Mayagüez, PR.

William Donner, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Jenniffer Santos, MS

Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice, Disaster Research Center, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware.

Michael Zink, PhD

Department of Computer Science & Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere Engineering Research Center, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts.

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