Welcome to Road Weather Management
What's New
Use of Mobile Data for Weather Responsive Traffic Management Models
This study (PDF 1.9MB) summarizes the types and characteristics of mobile data from existing vendors that can be used to improve weather responsive traffic analysis and modeling. A framework for integrating this data in traffic estimation and prediction models was developed and demonstrated using vehicle trajectory data collected by vehicles equipped with GPS devices circulating in New York City area during a two-week period.
Road Weather Management Certificate
The Consortium for ITS Training and Education (CITE) is now offering a certificate program on Road Weather Management. The program requires the completion of three core and two elective courses. Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate and Continuing Education Units (CEU's) certified from the University of Maryland. Information about the Road Weather Management Courses and their 2013 schedules can be found in http://www.citeconsortium.org/
courses/RW_Flyer_040113.pdf.
Guidelines for Disseminating Road Weather Messages
This guidebook (PDF 7MB) provides design recommendations on communicating road weather information to travelers using various dissemination methods such as Variable Message Signs, 511, web sites and social media. It replaces an earlier guidebook which has been updated based on the review and evaluation by transportation agencies.
Guidelines for the Use of Variable Speed Limit (VSL) Systems in Wet Weather
This document (PDF 2.7MB) contains guidance on implementing VSL systems in wet weather, particularly when operating speed exceeds design speed and stopping distance exceeds sight distance. It also describes existing VSL installations in the US.
The Vehicle Data Translation (VDT) Version 3.0
The original tool was developed to extract and derive weather and road condition information from vehicle probe data, filter and quality checked the data, and generate statistical output for specific road segments. (PDF 38.5MB)
MDSS Prototype Release 6.0 - Release 6.0 of MDSS prototype software, which contains many new or improved features. Registration for the software and supporting documentation is free.
Publications Now Available
- Developments in Weather-Responsive Traffic Management Strategies (2011) (PDF 4.2MB)
- Weather Information Integration in Transportation Management Center (TMC) Operations (2011) (PDF 6.6MB)
- Road Weather Bulletin (2011) (PDF 1.0 MB)
- Traffic Analysis Toolbox Volume XI: Weather and Traffic Analysis, Modeling and Simulation
Additional Listing of Road Weather Management Program Publications
Adverse weather conditions have a major impact on the safety and operation of our Nation's roads, from signalized arterials to Interstate highways. Weather affects driver behavior, vehicle performance, pavement friction, and roadway infrastructure. Weather events and their impacts on roads can be viewed as predictable, non-recurring incidents that affect safety, mobility and productivity. Weather affects roadway safety through increased crash risk, as well as exposure to weather-related hazards. Weather impacts roadway mobility by increasing travel time delay, reducing traffic volumes and speeds, increasing speed variance (i.e., a measure of speed uniformity), and decreasing roadway capacity (i.e., maximum rate at which vehicles can travel). Weather events influence productivity by disrupting access to road networks, and increasing road operating and maintenance costs.
- How do weather events impact roads?
- What are the benefits of using road weather management strategies?
- What technologies are available to mitigate road weather impacts?
For additional information about the Road Weather Management Program, please visit the National Transportation Operations Coalition Web Cast Archive and select the September 30, 2008 - Road Weather Management web cast. Here you will find a recording and presentations about the program.
Clarus Initiative
The Clarus Initiative is a joint effort of the United States Department of Transportation Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office and the FHWA Road Weather Management Program. The Clarus Initiative is a six-year effort to develop and demonstrate an integrated surface transportation weather observation data management system, and to establish a partnership to create a Nationwide Surface Transportation Weather Observing and Forecasting System.
Web-Based Course/Training
- Road Weather Management Web-Based Courses - FHWA and the Consortium for ITS Training and Education (CITE) are now offering three interactive web-based courses: (1) Principles and Tools of Road Weather Management, (2) RWIS Equipment and Operations, and (3) Weather Responsive Traffic Management. A new Road Weather Management Certificate is also being offered to those who will complete these three core RWM courses and additional elective courses on ITS. Information about the Road Weather Management Courses can be found in http://www.citeconsortium.org/courses/RW_Flyer_040113.pdf.
- NWS Web-Based Training - FHWA and the Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education and Training have developed a web-based training course for road weather management staff to learn about National Weather Service products, forecasts and warnings.
Upcoming Events
- 7/16/2013 - Road Weather Management Stakeholder Meeting
- 8/12/2013 - AMS Summer Community Meeting
- 8/25/2013 - National Rural ITS Conference
PDF files can be viewed with the Acrobat® Reader®.
