The advanced algorithm for tracking objects (AALTO)
Abstract
The advanced algorithm for the tracking of objects (AALTO) constructs tracks from objects, such as thunderstorms or mesocyclones, detected by multiple weather radars at irregular time intervals. It is important to have high accuracy in tracking thunderstorms to generate skilful forecasts and high‐quality climatologies and, fundamentally, to ensure that any derived product from tracks captures only that particular storm, and in its entirety. AALTO incorporates many of the best practices of existing tracking algorithms and techniques employed by meteorologists in constructing tracks. AALTO differs from existing algorithms designed to track meteorological phenomena that manifest in radar data in the following ways: (1) AALTO is designed to track objects from multiple radars, enabling analysis over a larger domain than if a single radar was used; (2) improved tracking is realized through improved initial motion estimates and directional thresholding and (3) AALTO looks both at the track history and at the subsequent possible positions along a track when constructing the best possible tracks, mimicking the approach that would be taken by a human meteorologist. Verification was done using metrics that were objectively determined to distinguish between good and degraded tracks; a description of the approach to determine the appropriate metrics is presented. An overview of the AALTO tracking procedure and an example case are presented in this study.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Aug 06, 2015
- Source ID
- 10.1002/met.1501
Entities
People
- Adam Houston
- George Limpert
- Noah Lock
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- National Science Foundation
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln