Information Dissemination
About Information Dissemination
Transportation managers and information service providers disseminate road weather information to travelers in order to influence their decisions, such as mode, route selection, departure time, vehicle type and equipment (e.g., tire chains), driving behavior (e.g., decrease speed, increase following distance) and trip deferral. Managers utilize various technologies to furnish road weather advisories to travelers. Strategies include activation of flashing beacons atop static signs, posting warnings on Dynamic Message Signs (DMS), and broadcasting messages via Highway Advisory Radio (HAR).
Route-specific road condition reports and travel forecasts are often provided through state agency web sites and interactive telephone systems, including 511 - the national traveler information telephone number. Road weather information can also be delivered via other dissemination technologies, such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), in-vehicle devices, and kiosks in rest areas.
Resources for Information Dissemination
Best Practices
- Alabama DOT Low Visibility Warning System (PDF, 97K)
- Alaska DOT&PF Temperature Data Probe Program (PDF, 266K)
- Arizona DOT DUST Warning System (PDF, 76K)
- California DOT Fog Detection and Warning System (PDF, 37K)
- California DOT Icy Curve Warning System (PDF, 77K)
- Colorado DOT One Pass Clearing Operations (PDF, 69K)
- Colorado DOT Variable Speed Management System (PDF, 71K)
- Florida DOT Bridge Wind Speed Alerting System (PDF, 42K)
- Idaho TD Winter Maintenancce Performance System (PDF, 53K)
- Iowa DOT Salt Use Dashboard (PDF, 192K)
- Iowa DOT Weatherview Road Weather Traveler Information System (PDF, 181K)
- Kansas City Scout Advanced Traffic Management System (PDF, 112K)
- Kansas DOT Road Weather Information for Travelers System (PDF, 23K)
- Maryland DOT Emergency Truck Parking Portal (PDF, 738K)
- Michigan DOT Measurement of Regain Time (PDF, 148K)
- Minnesota DOT I-35W Smart Lanes: Active Traffic Management (PDF, 225K)
- Montana DOT Equipment Vehicle Management System (PDF, 64K)
- Montana DOT Traveler Information System (PDF, 39K)
- New Mexico DOT Dust Control System (PDF, 48K)
- Pennsylvania DOT Interstate Restriction System (PDF, 366K)
- South Carolina DOT Hurricane Traffic Evacuation Operations (PDF, 75K)
- South Dakota DOT Maintenance Decision Support System (PDF, 54K)
- Tennessee Low Visibility Warning System (PDF, 118K)
- Texas DOT High Water Detection System (PDF, 65K)
- Texas DOT Pump Station Monitoring System (PDF, 57K)
- Utah DOT Traveler Information Weather (PDF, 70K)
- Vermont Agency of Transportation: Transportation Operations Center (PDF, 592K)
Publications
To view publications related to Information Dissemination, please select one of the following key words.
- Dynamic Message Sign (DMS)
- Flood Warning System
- Internet/Web Site
- Motorist Warning System
- Traveler Information
- Weather Information
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