Enclosure 2 to Comdtinst 16478.12
approximately 40% of fixed lighted AtoN sites are free of batteries.
Environmental factors that we recommend be considered before recoveries are
undertaken at AtoN sites are discussed in the companion study titles Volpe
Scientific Assessment of Coast Guard AtoN Batteries.
2.0 Scope
The analysis consists of two sections:
a Priority Ranking Model that applies the extracted or projected
characteristics of individual fixed lighted AtoN sites against
quantitative operational measures of attributes we selected to represent
four primary criteria discussed below. Every fixed lighted AtoN in the
ATONIS data base is scored and ranked relative to all other sites.
Individual sites are then assigned to small geographic "clusters" and
each AtoN is placed in one of five priority categories based on the
combined score of nearby sites which reflect the individual and local
priority of an AtoN, and;
Priority Ranking Maps that graphically present the location and
concentration of fixed lighted AtoNs based upon the five priority
assigned by the ranking method described in Appendix II. These are
intended to assist the Coast Guard plan their survey and recovery
operations.
The priority ranking model integrates data from the Coast Guard's internal
AtoN management information system called ATONIS. ATONIS information on
12,075 fixed lighted AtoN was integrated with oceanographic data provided by
the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and
population data from the U.S. Census Bureau to compile the score of each
site. ATONIS provided descriptive data on the name, location and light
characteristics of AtoN currently in use. The priority ranking model permits
rankings to be updated based on new ranking criteria or information about the
attributes of AtoN sites. Table I (below) provides a location summary of
fixed lighted AtoN in each Coast Guard District by state and territory.
The priority ranking model does not rank "floating" lighted AtoNs and does
not include former or other AtoN sites not listed in ATONIS. Floating lighted
AtoN (buoys) were excluded from this study because:
1. They generally use much less power, and therefore few batteries.
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Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
Priority Ranking Plan for Aton Battery Recovery
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