1. MDSS Post Demonstration Evaluation Results (and Proposed Solutions) 2003 MDSS Stakeholder Meeting Tuesday, June 17, 2003 Des Moines, Iowa Andy Stern Mitretek Systems FHWA Weather Team

2. The following short presentation will provide highlights from the post-demonstration debriefing and evaluation of the Iowa DOT garage supervisors (from March 26, 2003). Persons in attendance included: Ed MahoneyDes Moines North Garage Gary McDanielDes Moines North Garage Claude FrazierDes Moines West Garage Paul DurhamAmes Garage Jim Van SickleAmes Garage Diane McCauleyIowa DOT HQ – Winter Operations Dennis BurkheimerIowa DOT HQ – Winter Operations Lee WilkinsonIowa DOT HQ – Office of Maintenance Steve AndrleISU - CTRE Post Demonstration Evaluation

3. Comment: The statewide maps with colored dots were hard to follow and get a feeling of the big picture. In addition, the display of the dots during animation was hard to follow. Proposed Solution: Add actual digital values rather than colored dots. Software Display and Ease of Navigation DOTS

4. Comment: Historical forecasts would be helpful to critique operations and to determine changes and trends in forecasts. Proposed Solution: Design a way to view recent forecasts (within the last 6 hours) Comment: This year there were several times where just plowing was the best option for conditions. There was no “just plow” treatment option. Proposed Solution: Will explore expanding treatment options for “plow only” and/or “pre-treat with brine”. Need to better capture & quantify the garage rules of practice. Software Display and Ease of Navigation

5. Comment: Need to have the ability to input the current roadway conditions into the system so that it initializes the forecast correctly. Proposed Solution: Add a user input capability for use prior to the user generated treatment plan. Values to include: road snow depth, road temperature, chemical concentration and a road wet/dry (yes/no) value Also, add a system “reset” to indicate a cleared condition for both road snow depth and chemical concentration prior to the beginning of a new event. Software Display and Ease of Navigation

6. –There was no ability to forecast drifting snow –There was no ability to forecast roadway and bridge frost –The demonstration needed to be operational for a full winter –Tactical (0-2 hour) information that allows the supervisors to do “what-if” scenarios with equipment, resources, roadway segments, manpower, etc. Needs to be added to the system to make this more than just a planning tool. –Bridges and ramps should be separated from the roadways since they are often the first and sometimes the only segments that might be affected by an event. What else is missing from the system?

7. –The Iowa DOT participants felt that it would be an excellent tool if the accuracy were to improve –It can provide better uniformity of operations across the state –It could reduce the material used and provide better service to the public –Training Issues All participants felt that the training was excellent All participants felt that once you became familiar with the system, it was easy to navigate What are the benefits from using this tool?