Launch: Runway Reporting System

Let's pretend you're driving down the freeway in your new corvette at 120mph. Since it's the middle of winter, wouldn't it be nice to know if there are icy spots up ahead?

At the airport, pilots are faced with this situation each time they land a plane.

To solve this problem, CWS developed an "Airport Field Conditions Reporting System" which is now in use at the Rochester International Airport. Control towers all over the country have access to real-time statistics about the conditions of the runways at our airport. They can relay this information to pilots as they prepare for landing, or re-route air traffic if necessary.

During severe weather conditions, the website may be updated several times each hour as airport crews continue to plow runways and apply chemicals. Ground staff at the airport has access to update the live data quickly, with each update logged and available immediately.