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ROAD WEATHER RESOURCE IDENTIFICATION(RWRI)TOOL

Version 1.0

Ray Murphy, ITS SpecialistFHWA National Resource Center

NTOC - Talking Operations Seminar January 11, 2006

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What is the RWRI tool?

A simple, stand-alone database application

developed by FHWA for storing

and searching a variety of

Road Weather Management resources.

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RWRI Project Goals

• Assemble and classify all relevant materials/resources for road weather management (RWM)

• Develop a database search engine tool for storing, accessing, and managing RWM resources

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RWRI Project History

• Last 5 years – collected hundreds of materials pertaining to RWM

• Early 2004 – concept of RWM resource tool developed

• August 2004 – contracted with Cambridge Systematics, Inc. (CSI) to develop Road Weather Resource Identification Tool (RWRI)

• February 2005 – Beta version of RWRI tool developed

• August 2005 – RWRI Version 1.0 developed

• October 2005 – RWRI posted on the FHWA website for 6 mo. testing and evaluation

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RWRI Project Panel

Roemer Alfelor - FHWA HQ (Project Manager)Paul Pisano - FHWA HQRay Murphy - FHWA RC IllinoisBruce Hunt - FHWA South Dakota Randy VanGorder – FHWA Turner FairbanksRudy Persaud – FHWA Turner Fairbanks

Mike Adams – Wisconsin DOTRobert Driscoll - Virginia DOTAdam Bradford – Oregon DOT

Cambridge Systematics Inc. (RWRI Developer)Mitretek Systems (Database Support)

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RWRI V 1.0 Characteristics

• Contains more than 300 materials/resources

• Three database search options: 1. Guided Search

2. Menu of Topics Search 3. Keyword Search

• View, Save and Print Options

• Database Administration Function

• User can submit comments and resources.

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RWRI Registration

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/Weather

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RWRI Startup Screen

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Help Menu

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Guided Search

• Goal is to guide user through a series of questions to narrow search

• Narrowing criteria (in order)Type(s) of Weather EventType(s) of Roadway impactType(s) of Traffic impactType(s) of RWM strategyFocus of Material:‐ Data Collection‐ Information Management‐ Performance Management

Sponsoring OrganizationResource Medium

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Guided Search

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Menu of Topics Search

• User selects from a list (menu) of topics to narrow search

• Menu of Topics Type(s) of Weather EventType(s) of Roadway impactType(s) of Traffic impactType(s) of RWM strategyFocus of Material:‐ Data Collection‐ Information Management‐ Performance Management

Sponsoring OrganizationResource Medium

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Menu of Topics Search

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Keyword Search

• User types in the keyword(s) or pick from a long list of those keywords to search the database

• Each resource/material has one or more keywords associated with it.

• Search can be inclusive of all the keywords identified (AND), or contain at least one of those keywords (OR).

• User can also search the title and abstracts for words or phrase.

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Keyword Search

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Search Results

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Benefits of Using RWRI Tool

• Focused on Road Weather Management

• Classified and Organized

• Simple, easy to use

• Variety of search options

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/Weather

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RWRI Testing/Evaluation Stats

As of 12/21/05

• Approximately 100 downloads‑ 18 State DOT’s‑ 15 Local agencies‑ Several other Private, Federal, Academic and International agencies

• 14 Evaluations‑ 80% said tool is good or excellent‑ 70% said ease of use is good or excellent‑ Equal preferences for 3 search options

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Next Steps

• Complete testing and evaluation by March 2006

• Summarize comments and recommended changes

• Update database and implement recommended changes by June 2006

• Post Version 2.0 by September 2006

• Update and post database as needed.

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Road Weather Management Team

Roemer Alfelor, RWIT Project ManagerFHWA Road Weather Management ProgramPhone: 202-366-9242Email: roemer.alfelor@fhwa.dot.gov

Paul Pisano, Team LeaderFHWA Road Weather Management ProgramPhone: 202-366-1301Email: paul.pisano@fhwa.dot.gov

Ray Murphy, ITS SpecialistFHWA National Resource CenterPhone: 708-283-3517Email: ray.murphy@fhwa.dot.gov