Marine Transportation System (MTS) Weather Related R&D for

1. Marine Transportation System (MTS) Weather Related R&D for Improving Commerce Richard Edwing, MTS Program Manager, NOAA

2. Outline • The “Forecast” • NOAA’s Role in the MTS • MTS Programs • Challenges • R&D Priorities • Partnerships

3. The “Forecast” • By 2020, the U.S. transportation system is expected to handle cargo valued at nearly $30 trillion. • Domestic freight volumes will grow by more than 65 percent, increasing from 13.5 billion tons in 1998 to 22.5 billion tons in 2020.

4. NOAA’s Role in the MTS • NOAA provides an environmental information infrastructure that supports safe, efficient and environmentally sound marine navigation. • Real-time and forecast meteorological and oceanographic information provides mariners with situational awareness of operational environment. • Timely, accurate, and reliable information is MTS stakeholders highest priority.

5. MTS Program National Water Level Observation Network (NWLON) • Recently upgraded to real time, can provide other oceanographic and meteorological parameters. Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS®) • Cost shared partnership that provides real-time environmental observations Oceanographic Forecast System • Nowcasts and forecasts on the present and future states of water levels and other parameters.

6. MTS Program Nautical Charts National Ice Center (NIC) • Multi-agency operational center operated by US Navy, NOAA and US Coast Guard. • Provides ice services, including oceanographic and meteorological information, tailored to meet operational requirements of U.S. national interests. • Hydrographic & shoreline surveys.

7. Challenges • U.S. depends on an “uninterrupted flow” of goods & energy products that fuel a nation. • Doubling of maritime trade/traffic by 2020 – more vessels pushing limits of U.S. ports; greater risk of accidents; increase in emergency response; economic & environmental impacts, etc. • Increased Ship Draft – Smaller port facilities unable to accommodate mega-containers; thus a shortfall in ports of sufficient capacity. • Bottlenecks & congestion in intermodal transportation system (Rails 174,000 mi & Highways 45,000 mi) – increases transit time & costs.

8. Challenges • In 2004, the MTS carried $958 billion dollars worth of U.S. international cargo, more than any other transportation mode. 15,000 container capacity

9. R&D Priorities • New and Improved Sensors & Sensor Technology: • Visibility Sensors • Microwave sensors for water levels & waves • Salinity • Understand atmospheric effects on passive microwave surface observations of sea ice and snow • Models for Improved Decision Making: • Community models (ROMS, ADCIRC, HYCOM) • Common framework • Coupling models to achieve “white water-brown water-blue water” • Hydrology • Circulation • Wave • Weather • Data assimilation

10. R&D Priorities • Remote Sensing Technologies: • High Frequency Radar (HFR) • Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) • Develop tools for coincident passive and active sensing of surface winds and sea ice. • Delivery Mechanisms/Communications: • Automatic Identification System (AIS): shipboard broadcast system acts like a transponder • MADIS (Meteorological Assimilation Data Ingest System) • Continue research on GIS technologies • Data visualization techniques • Other R&D: • Assess the impact of a spatially-biased buoy-based surface observation network in the Arctic • Understand the impacts of diminishing sea ice conditions on Arctic weather

11. Partnership Mechanisms • CMTS (Committee on Marine Transportation System) • Cabinet level committee for inter-departmental coordinating mechanism to recommend strategies and implement plans to maintain & improve the MTS. • R&D working group • IOOS (Integrated Ocean Observing System) • Regional Associations key partners in pursuing R&D needs • GEOSS (Global Earth Observing System of Systems)

12. Thank You!