New Jersey Coastal Monitoring Network

Tom Herrington

Research Assistant ProfessorDavidson Laboratory, Stevens Institute of Technology

New Jersey Coastal Monitoring Network

• In situ atmospheric and oceanographic sensors designed to provide real-time data

• Funded by state of New Jersey to:

Benchmark and monitor coastal trends

Provide “real time” data to OEM

Provide public access to continuous data

Existing Real-Time Wind Gauges

Offshore Bathymetry

Coastal Monitoring Network Nodes

Coastal Monitoring Node

Weather Tower

Data Acquisition System

Real-Time Web-Based Data Display

Coastal Monitoring Network at Avalon, NJ

Conditions as of 1700 EDT on 9/8/99

Wind Speed: 5.03 m/s (9.77 knots) Wind Direction: 205° (SSW)Wind Gust: 8.23 m/s (15.99 knots)Atmospheric Pressure: 1008.43 mb (29.78 in. Hg)Air Temperature: 24.6°C (76.2°F)Significant Wave Height: 0.79 m (2.58 ft)Wave Period: 5.8 secWater Depth at Gauge: 5.02 m (16.48 ft)Water Temperature: 22.0°C (71.6°F)

Hurricane FloydImage Analysis

Rapidly-Deployed Coastal ObserVation System for High-Impact Coastal WeathER

(ROVER)

ROVER Prototype Development

• Funded by the NJ State Police OEM

• Design Criteria:– Provide real-time wind and surge data over

large spatial area in support of OEM operations– Able to be deployed within 24 hours– Inexpensive (expendable) units– Web-based data interface

ROVER Specifications

• Low Surface Area Mount

• Helical Screw Pile Foundation

• Quick Connect Galvanized Pipe Mast

• Galvanized Pipe Cross-Arm

• Split Clamp Instrument Mounts

• Cellular Transmission of Data

• Powered by a Deep Cycle Battery

ROVER Deployment

Educational Opportunities

• Real-time data display on the internet has facilitated the use of CMN by K-12 and college students alike.

• Freely accessible real-time data has generated strong public interest making the system a platform for public education and outreach.

• System can host additional instrumentation for short-term collaborative studies

• Continuous data acquisition generates a long-term database for Masters and PhD level research.