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

Title:

Comparative Evaluation of Automated Wind Warning Systems: Final Report

Abstract:

Warning drivers of impending cross winds well in advance and implementing measures to reduce operational speeds are other options explored by transportation professionals. To address localized high cross wind challenges, the Oregon and California DOTs have used ITS installations to alert motorists of dangerously windy conditions automatically. The warning messages are displayed to drivers at locations where they can stop and wait until the winds die down or where they can decide to take a longer alternate route. Automated wind warning system deployments offer significant cost savings to drivers as well as the Ohio DOT. These systems also allow more prompt high wind notifications to the drivers thus reducing exposure of the driving public to high cross winds along US Route 101. Based on the safety analysis, it may be concluded that most of the wind-related crashes involve single vehicle or run-off-the-road type of crashes. It may also be interpreted that most of the wind-related crashes are caused by drivers caught in high cross winds unexpectedly. A high wind warning system that is automated helps warn the drivers in time and reduce the crash risk exposure.

Source(s):

Montana State University, Western Transportation Institute; Prepared for the U.S. DOT Research and Innovative Technology Administration

https://trid.trb.org/view/781245

Date: 2006

Author:

Kumar, Strong

Keywords:


Motorist warning system
Traveler information
Route choice
Safety
Crashes
Benefits
Costs
Benefit/cost

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