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
Where the Weather Meets the Road: A Research
Agenda for Improving Road Weather Services 1
About The Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate
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
ContextContext
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
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
Overarching Recommendation
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 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
Research EffortResearch 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
CommunicationCommunication
Develop methods for estimating and conveying confidence in road weather information
Develop means to effectively communicate road weather information to users
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Other Key Program ElementsOther 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 ClosingIn 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 MembersCommittee Members
John Snow (chair), U of OklahomaElizabeth Carter, WeatherExtreme, LLCBrad Colman, NWS, Seattle, WashingtonDennis Christiansen, Texas Transportation InstitutePaul DeLannoy, Environment CanadaFrancis Francois (ret), American Association of State Highway
and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)George Frederick, Vaisala, Inc.Frances Holt, NOAA–NESDISMargaret LeMone, NCARCurt Pape, Minnesota DOTLeland Smithson, AASHTORichard Wagoner, NCAR Photo Credit: Curt Pape, Minnesota
Department of Transportation
For More Information…For More Information…
Contact Amanda Staudt <[email protected]>
Or visit the BASC website:
www.nationalacademies.org/basc/