LATSA 2.1

Summary

The Livestock Air Transport Safety Assessment (LATSA) software program estimates the generation of key physiological data such as heat, moisture, and carbon dioxide from livestock during transportation by aircraft.  The overall objective of the LATSA software is to ensure compliance with the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL).The information used to predict heat, moisture and carbon dioxide production inside an aircraft hold is however based on theoretical data.  Little real time data exists for the environments that are being modelled.  The purpose of this project was to validate the predictions of the LATSA 2.0 software through the acquisition of real time data.
​Using temperature and humidity loggers, real time data was collected during eight (8) shipments of livestock by air. Analysis of the flights showed there were issues with temperature consistency within and between holds, temperature uniformity inside and outside the crates and air quality. Problems with stopovers during transit were also observed, with critical wet and dry bulb temperatures reached and exceeded during one flight. Analysis of carbon dioxide revealed an overall increase of concentrations during transport indicating an underperformance in the ventilation of carbon dioxide, and most probable, other noxious gases.
Validation of LATSA with real time data was successful in identifying errors with the model.  These included:
1.  Relative humidity is too low when modelled in LATSA;
2.  Modelled dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures were in error by about 5oC in the main hold and 7oC in the bottom holds; and
3.  Modelled dry bulb temperatures were too high in the main hold, and always too low in the bottom holds.
Throughout the validation process, modification of sensitive parameters concluded that many inconsistencies do not lie at the administration level, but rather on a more fundamental level. Further data should be gathered to understand the issues with thermodynamic and microclimatic factors that are occurring within the crates.  Little is known about these factors and further investigations will improve the validation process and the overall precision of LATSA.
With the onset of LATSA 2.0 in a new platform, as with any new software, issues emanating from programing issues and bugs were to occur and improvements to be identified. These Issues and improvements were identified through software use and consultation with industry.  Refinement and enhancement of the web based LATSA software prevailed in the first instalment of LATSA 2.1.
Initial findings have been encouraging, however it is indicating that further studies into the environmental conditions being produced on-board during the freighting process need to be carried out. These include investigation into how crate permeability, size and positioning affects airflow and the conditions produced within the crates.  Collection and analysis of carbon dioxide concentrations should be carried out to better understand its prevalence and its effects on animals during transportation.  These studies will ensure a continual development of not only the LATSA predictions, but an overall enhancement in industry standards and an improvement in animal welfare during transportation.​