Wind Tool
The Wind Toolset supports municipalities and smart cities in enabling safe, efficient, and sustainable drone operations, from last-mile logistics to emergency and medical deliveries, advancing greener, more connected urban mobility. It can also support airports and aviation authorities to integrate drone and Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) services, fostering a more sustainable and efficient air transport ecosystem.
Watch the video showcasing the tool’s main functionalities.
A UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Operator needs to urgently deliver medical supplies across a densely built urban area. To ensure a fast and safe delivery, he opens the RefMap Wind Risk Analysis Tool, which helps identify wind-related hazards and optimal flight paths.
He begins by selecting the target area and the desired level of detail (LoD) for the simulation. Then, he chooses the city, as well as the wind-related simulation parameter, such as Turbulent Kinetic Energy (TKE), to understand the airflow complexity. He finally sets the relevant altitude, in this case, 2 meters, to match the drone’s typical cruising height through the urban corridor.
The tool loads precomputed steady-state flow simulations based on the selected wind direction. Using the platform’s interactive map, the operator visualizes high-risk zones where turbulence could endanger flight stability. The tool highlights safe or optimal UAV trajectories, factoring in both environmental risk and route efficiency.
With this information, he identifies the most stable and reliable path through the urban environment, avoiding high-risk zones while minimizing flight time. The simulation data enables him to plan a safe, responsive delivery mission.