Application of Windrose Analysis for Optimized Runway Alignment in Transportation Engineering
Abstract
Runway orientation is a critical element in airport design, directly influencing safety, operational efficiency, and aircraft performance. Improperly aligned runways can expose aircraft to excessive crosswind components, increasing risks during takeoff and landing. This study presents the development and application of a windrose-based software tool designed in Python to analyze historical wind data and optimize runway orientation. Using graphical windrose plots and computational assessment of crosswind components, the system recommends the best runway alignment in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. The tool further allows visualization of the preferred runway on the windrose diagram, data export, and automated reporting. The findings demonstrate that windrose analysis provides a robust framework for identifying optimal runway headings, improving operational safety, and guiding engineers in airport master planning.
