Meteorological Data

Global weather data from the ECMWF HRES IFS operational forecast (temperature and wind variables, 00Z/06Z/12Z/18Z cycles). Accessible via AWS Open Data Registry.

EEF (Effective Energy Forcing)

Pre-computed contrail forcing forecast from the Contrails.org API, based on the CoCiP model (Schumann, 2012; CoCiP-grid), in units of J/m. Raw radiative forcing is scaled by an ERF ratio of 0.42 (Lee et al., 2021). CO₂-equivalence uses IPCC AR5 GWP100. Data available from near real-time through ~60h ahead.

Optimization

4D shortest-path solver searching over horizontal waypoints (randomly distributed with ~100km spacing), valid flight levels, and Mach numbers. Minimizes fuel cost + time cost (CI) + climate cost ($/tCO₂e applied to both fuel burn CO₂ and contrail warming CO₂e). Aircraft performance via the Poll-Schumann model (pycontrails). Cooling contrails are included in EEF estimates but not credited toward cost reduction.