Road Weather Management Program
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Best Practices for Road Weather Management Version 2.0

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Title:

Maximizing the Use of Road Weather Information Systems: Final Report

Abstract:

The object of this project was to make recommendations to the Iowa DOT on more effective uses of Road Weather Information System (RWIS) data in winter highway maintenance decisions. From the results of the survey and discussions with supervisors, it is clear that graphical displays of data are needed to more effectively communicate information to end users. Better visual displays of pavement temperature and weather information in general would facilitate decision-making by maintenance personnel. Data and information from the National Weather Service shoudl be more directly incorporated into the Iowa DOT data stream, as should AWOS data. Survey results indicated that most supervisors are properly using meteorological data available to them during the 24 hours preceding a storm. Educational and training programs are needed on use of AWOS data, use of pavement temperatures, and interpretation of radar. Videotapes are judged to be the most practical way at present to offer these programs, but interactive CD-ROM or Internet learning modules would be better in the longer term.

Source(s):

Center for Transportation Research and Education, Iowa State University, prepared for Iowa DOT. For an electronic copy of this resource, please direct your request to WeatherFeedback@dot.gov.

Date: 1998

Author:

Takle; Gallus, Jr.

Keywords:


Weather information
Pavement temperature
Institutional issues
Forecast/Prediction

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