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Best Practices for Road Weather Management Version 2.0

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Title:

Sharing of Observations Collected with Road Weather Information System Environmental Sensor Stations

Abstract:

NOAA takes advantage of non-NOAA sources of observational data by partnering and leveraging opportunities for data sharing. Observations collected by Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) Environmental Sensor Stations (ESSs) installed by state DOTs are now shared with NOAA on a very limited basis. The focus of the work for this results project was to enhance the sharing of RWIS observations between the states and NOAA, by conducting an assessment of present sharing of RWIS observations, documenting best practices, and formulating recommendations for future enhancements to policies and practices and existing activities in this area. Results from the survey of the state DOTs indicate the potential for great benefits to the NWS, the sharing states, and the nation if sharing of RWIS observations can be systematically and completely shared with NOAA. Several states already routinely share observations which are collected centrally at the Meteorological Data Information System (MADIS) run by NOAA's Forecast System Laboratory (FSL). There is a potential for many more states to share their observations with NOAA.

Source(s):

Council for Excellence In Government Fellows Program

http://surfaceweather.noaa.gov/resources/Results%20Project%20Report%20Submitted%20to%20Council.pdf

Date: 2004

Author:

Eng, Mahoney, Masternak, Vavra

Keywords:


Road Weather Information System (RWIS)
Institutional issues

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