WTI

Assess Caltrans Road Weather Information System (RWIS) Devices and Related Sensors

Primary Investigator Contact Information

External Project Contact(s)

Report(s)

1. Executive Summary
   2. 426134_Executive_Summary.pdf
2. Final Report
   1. Lisa Ballard
   2. 426134_Final.pdf

Project Objective

Caltrans Roadway Weather Information Systems (RWIS) devices are installed at critical areas throughout the state where atmospheric and pavement data could be used for maintenance and transportation management. An assessment of their use and research of their effectiveness is needed to improve the use of existing devices and research the communications systems that prohibit open data transfer between the devices.

Project Abstract

Caltrans has identified the need to evaluate the road weather information systems (RWIS) that have been installed in the state. This project will help Caltrans in determining how to improve its RWIS and to move towards a statewide linked network. Through the work on this project, Western Transportation Institute, Montana State University-Bozeman (WTI) will develop three technical reports, a GIS project, and a final report on Caltrans RWIS. The needed information for these deliverables will be collected through surveys of maintenance staff, interviews with key RWIS end users (Caltrans and potential partners), and a national review of state of the practice. Project tasks will be completed within a twelve-month time frame by June 2002. This project is designed to provide Caltrans with a detailed assessment of RWIS use and recommended improvements. WTI hopes to provide a unifying vision for the state while respecting the distinct needs of the districts.

Task Descriptions

1. Technical Report #2
   1. This task will document the existing communications system, provide recommended standards for new installations, and provide recommendations for partnerships with other agencies. This document will help district staff plan future RWIS installations with an eye toward integrating RWIS devices on a statewide basis. It will also help Headquarters understand how Caltrans RWIS devices can best be coordinated with devices at other agencies.
2. Technical Advisory Committee Meeting 4
   1. The Technical Advisory Committee will meet to review and provide comments on the Draft Technical Report #2: RWIS Communications and Partnerships. WTI will schedule this meeting at the same time as the TAC meetings 3 and 5 described in Tasks 7 and 10.
3. Technical Advisory Committee Meeting 5
   1. The Technical Advisory Committee will meet to review and provide comments on the Draft Technical Report #3: Recommended System Improvements and the Draft RWIS GIS project. WTI will schedule this meeting at the same time as the TAC meetings 3 and 4 described in Tasks 7 and 9.
4. Interviews
   1. The largest task in this project will provide an opportunity to talk to the users of RWIS and to collect data from them. WTI will first conduct initial interviews by phone, then survey the users of RWIS, and finally conduct face-to-face interviews.
5. Technical Advisory Committee Meeting 3
   1. The Technical Advisory Committee will meet to review and provide comments on the Draft Technical Report #1: Goals and Legacy Systems. This meeting is scheduled to be held at the same time as the TAC meetings 4 and 5 described in Tasks 9 and 10.
6. Outreach to Districts
   1. Caltrans headquarters will share findings from this study with the districts and external agencies through this task. WTI will help in distributing documents and will participate where needed in report follow up.
7. Technical Report #1: Goals and Legacy Systems
   1. This report documents the history, current status, and future of RWIS systems in each District. The first technical report will identify the goals of the RWIS. The report will also detail existing and planned Caltrans RWIS installations, and provide a GIS map of existing and planned ESS.
8. Technical Advisory Committee Meeting 2
   1. Upon completion of the data-gathering phase of this project, the Technical Advisory Committee will meet with WTI to review the outlines for the three technical reports. This meeting can also be used to review the potentially differing visions for Caltrans RWIS gathered during the interview process from the different constituencies and to work towards a consensus for a unifying statewide vision.
9. Select Consultant
   1. During this task, Caltrans will select a consultant and get that organization under contract. WTI will have minimal participation in this task, and all costs incurred by WTI prior to being on contract will not be charged against this project.
10. Technical Report #3
    1. The last technical report will provide recommendations for improving Caltrans RWIS. It will look at RWIS from a statewide perspective and identifies “holes” in the system. This report also recommends best practices and identifies a variety of efficient technologies to link installed, planned, and recommended RWIS devices.
11. Approval of Technical Reports
    1. This task will finalize the technical reports and merge them into a final project report. This task will also incorporate comments into the GIS project.
12. Literature Search
    1. The literature search will constitute the analysis to identify the national and international uses of RWIS. The goal of the search is to identify programs in other states or provinces that can be used as models in improving the Caltrans systems. The literature search will be used to improve WTI’s already large collection of RWIS literature.
13. Kick-off Meeting with Consultant
    1. This task will serve as an introduction of the project and its participants. The Technical Advisory Committee and WTI will meet to identify project goals and exchange available RWIS data.

Milestones, Dates, Schedule

Student Involvement

False

Relationship to Other Research Projects

True

Technology Transfer Activities

True

Transportation Research Board Keywords

Evaluation and Assessment, Analysis, RWIS, Research

Partners

Caltrans