Description:

This session invites researchers to consider the benefits of a distributed multifunction radar network to mature Smart City concepts of operation. Weather radars are employed for real time observation of daily hazards associated with high winds, rain, hail and snow. Accurate nowcasting methods can provide 1 to 3 hour advanced warning with geographic precision. Aftermath assessments can be automated using smaller radars that are distributed across municipalities since observations are accurate down to the ground with much better temporal resolution essential to accurately assess potential hail damage as one example. Increased use of UAS in municipalities also necessitates accurate airborne surveillance to ensure flight patterns and density rules are followed for public safety. The proposed session might consist of the following subjects based on distributed and networked radars: 1) benefits for weather alerts and nowcasting, 2) UAS management and flight operations support, 3) quantitative and rapid disaster assessment, 4) real time traffic management.

Weather radar sensing can be used in smart cities for various applications such as traffic management, flood detection, and weather forecasting. For instance, radar sensors can be used to detect and track vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles in real-time to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion. They can also be used to detect and monitor weather patterns such as rainfall, snowfall, and hailstorms. This information can be used to alert citizens of potential hazards and help city officials make informed decisions about road closures, evacuation orders, and other emergency measures.

In the past, multiple radars and sensors were developed to independently observe severe weather or transportation to deliver precipitation products for improved decision-making capability to improve hazardous weather forecasts and warnings, along with hydrology, aviation, and numerical weather prediction. The market is now able to deliver multi-function phased array radars to simultaneously perform aircraft tracking, wind profiling, and weather surveillance with a single phased array weather radar. It is hoped that this session will attract a robust discussion on how advancements in radar sensors, signal processing and controls can enable a variety of data products to help fulfill the goals of Smart Cities.