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Best Practices for Road Weather Management Version 2.0

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Title:

Road Surface Temperature Forecasting: Case Study in a Mountainous Region of Japan

Abstract:

This study examined a road surface temperature prediction model in a snowy, mountainous region in Japan. The road surface temperature varied from one segment of the road to another. This was mainly due to the fact that environmental factors were unique at each road segment. In general, the road surface temperature reached its maximum point in the midday and reached its lowest point just before sunrise. However, in a rugged mountainous environment, the road surface temperature does not follow a simple diurnal pattern. This study demonstrated the necessity of road surface temperature predictions at a local scale, rather than a regional scale, since regional forecasts may not depict any local-scale problems, such as road icing. Icy surface conditions may develop for a small area or patches of small areas, and regional forecasts may lead to all-or-nothing solutions for such local-scale problems. This study used both geographic information system (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) as tools. Results from the road surface temperature predictions are illustrated visually using a GIS program so that any potentially problematic road segments can be identified geographically at different times.

Source(s):

6th International Symposium on Snow Removal and Ice Control Technology, Transportation Research Circular, No. E-C063

http://trb.org/publications/circulars/ec063.pdf

Date: 2004

Author:

Sato

Keywords:


Forecast/Prediction

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