Area residents and neighbors of Logan Airport now have direct access to information once available only to airlines and FAA air-traffic controllers through Airport Monitor -- a computerized radar image with color-coded information depicting information on arriving, departing and over-flight planes.
Officials said the information is updated about every four seconds but, because of post-Sept.11 security measures, the site works on a 10-minute delay.
Connecticut-based Megadata developed Airport Monitor for Massport. Its features include:
- Color-coded flight tracking of aircraft arriving/departing Logan and traveling through the region;
- Near real time information on aircraft types, altitudes and aircraft ID numbers;
- One hour replay function that archives flight track data for 3 months, providing additional information about the airline and airport of origin/destination; and
- A radar range from 4 miles around Logan Airport to 90 miles.
In addition to Airport Monitor, Massport also added an online noise complaint form as an alternative to the existing noise-complaint telephone line. There are other enhancements to the site including information on how Logan's airfield works and a simplified glossary of technical terminology associated with noise monitoring.
Massport has also established a Massport Web site Technical Working Group of residents who have shown a particular interest in this technology. Officials said the group represents a cross-section of greater Boston area neighborhoods and community groups.
The working group has been created by Massport to assist in the development of additional enhancements to Airport Monitor and to gather residents' input on information sharing on noise via the Web.
Airport Monitor is slated to go live on Monday, Aug. 19.
Massachusetts Port Authority
