John T. Snow The University of Oklahoma Amanda Staudt National Research Council AMS Second Annual Users Conference 13 January 2004 Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate Transportation Research Board Where the Weather Meets the Road: A Research Agenda for Improving Road Weather Services 1

About The Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate BASC was established in 1982 by the NRC to: –advance understanding of earth's atmosphere and climate –provide cogent and independent advice on critical scientific issues –help apply this knowledge to benefit the public –advise the federal government Mission carried out through the activities of specialized committees and panels BASC addresses issues ranging from narrowly defined, highly technical problems to broad public policy concerns

Context Weather impairs both safety and efficiency of roadways –Associated with over 1.5 million accidents annually, accounting for 800,000 injuries and 7,000 deaths Numerous technological advances provide the impetus to develop a road weather research program to save lives and minimize congestion! –Associated with 500 million hours of driver delay annually Few new roads and increasing vehicle miles traveled will exacerbate already existing capacity problems

Statement of Task: Road Weather Research Describe nature and scope of road weather issues and economic impacts Characterize current state of road-related weather research Identify gaps in the scientific knowledge base where R&D is needed Discuss how research can be designed to support operations and lead to practical applications Identify needs within the meteorological infrastructure necessary to establish effective road weather research and operational capabilities

Report Outline Ch 1 –Introduction Ch 2 –The Road Weather System of the Future Ch 3 –Current Meteorological and Transportation Activities Relevant to Road Weather Ch 4 –Opportunities to Enhance the Road Weather System Ch 5 –Implementing Improved Road Weather Research and Management Programs Ch 6 –Closing Thoughts

Overarching Recommendation Establish a focused, coordinated national road weather research program Program Goals: maximize use of available road weather information and technologies; expand road weather research and development efforts to enhance roadway safety, capacity, and efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts; and effectively implement new scientific and technological advances

Program Implementation Regional Research Centers To develop new technologies, foster technology implementation on regional roadways, and facilitate interaction between governments, the private sector, and academia Should bring together weather and transportation researchers, and practitioners/service providers in the public and private sectors National Demonstration Corridors To demonstrate effectiveness of road weather improvements, facilitate nationwide implementation of research results, and provide a seamless stream of road weather information to users One running north-south (e.g., I-35) One running east-west (e.g., I-80)

Program Implementation 1 Regional Research Centers To develop new technologies, foster technology implementation on regional roadways, and facilitate interaction between governments, the private sector, and academia Photo Credit: Jon Hankey, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute Should bring together weather and transportation researchers, and practitioners/service providers in the public and private sectors

Program Implementation 2 National Demonstration Corridors To demonstrate effectiveness of road weather improvements, facilitate nationwide implementation of research results, and provide a seamless stream of road weather information to users One running north- south (e.g., I-35) One running east-west (e.g., I-80)

Program Management Centralized leadership at the federal level is essential for setting research priorities, administering grants, providing a central repository for research findings, and ensuring accountability FHWA should have lead role; NOAA should be leading partner Federal government should establish new interagency coordinating council to guide program with participation from FHWA, NOAA, and NSF at a minimum Must foster effective partnerships with state and local agencies and with private sector

New long-term dedicated funding within FHWA is essential ~$25 million per year Long-term commitment (more than a decade) FHWA should manage these funds Funds from other relevant initiatives should be highly leveraged Must foster public-private-academic partnerships Essential partners include FHWA, NOAA, NSF, AASHTO, academia, state and local governments, the private sector, and NGOs such as ITS America and AMS Program Management 2

Research Framework 5 Key Areas: a robust, integrated observational network and data management system a coordinated research effort improved modeling capabilities and forecast tools mechanisms for communicating road weather information to users an infostructure that takes advantage of new technologies

Infostructure Support development of a robust national roadway infostructure –the infostructure (e.g., sensors, telecommunciations, modeling) needs to overlay the infrastructure (e.g., concrete, steel) Radio 100s miles Cellular Data 1000ft – miles Wireless LAN (802.11x) 500ft

Observations and Data Mgmt 1 Take advantage of existing/emerging observation networks and databases –leverage investments by federal government, state agencies, others in mesoscale observing networks Improve the existing road weather observation system –RWIS, video –standards, formats, archives

Observations and Data Mgmt 2 Improve road weather instrumentation –establish standards and ensure compliance –improve sensor technology for road weather applications Maximize utility and quality of road weather information –standardize data format, presentation, quality control –early and significant involvement of users is critical Develop observing capabilities to measure performance of road weather forecasts –ideally sited along national corridors and at regional centers –permanent and mobile platforms Photo Credit: Jerry Waldman, SSI, Inc.

Research Effort Improve prediction and warning of weather-influenced hazards that rapidly impede roadway use –flash floods, avalanches, mudslides Archive and mine operational traffic observations to assess weather impacts –traffic counters, video cameras Undertake human factors research

Modeling and Forecasts 1 Improve empirical and numerical modeling of roadway atmosphere interface and surrounding environment –micrometeorological research needed to better understand energy and moisture fluxes between road and atmosphere –requires multidisciplinary teams Improve accuracy and resolution of road weather forecast products –tactical (0–6 h) and strategic (> 6 h) decision making

Modeling and Forecasts 2 Integrate weather information into traffic planning and management models Integrate real-time weather information into routine operation of the transportation system Develop end-to-end models that assess and predict weather impacts on roadway conditions and operations –using current and forecast weather conditions; road conditions (especially road temperature and traction); a traffic simulation model

Communication Develop methods for estimating and conveying confidence in road weather information Develop means to effectively communicate road weather information to users

Other Key Program Elements Enable efficient technology transfer –user communities must be involved at every step –private sector an important partner Improve education and training of road weather information users Seek out synergies and efficiencies between road weather research and parallel efforts regarding other modes of transportation –aviation (in particular), rail, transit

In Closing The proposed national road weather research program will lead to advances in knowledge and operational capabilities that could improve the safety and efficiency of a transportation system that is used by millions of people every single day and is affected by weather every single day Decision-makers have the ability to help achieve this vision by capitalizing on the recommended framework and bringing the road weather research program to fruition

Committee Members John Snow (chair), U of Oklahoma Elizabeth Carter, WeatherExtreme, LLC Brad Colman, NWS, Seattle, Washington Dennis Christiansen, Texas Transportation Institute Paul DeLannoy, Environment Canada Francis Francois (ret), American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) George Frederick, Vaisala, Inc. Frances Holt, NOAA–NESDIS Margaret LeMone, NCAR Curt Pape, Minnesota DOT Leland Smithson, AASHTO Richard Wagoner, NCAR Photo Credit: Curt Pape, Minnesota Department of Transportation

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