WTI

Comparative Evaluation of Wind Warning Systems (Showcase Evaluation #15)

Primary Investigator Contact Information

External Project Contact(s)

Report(s)

1. Comparative Evaluation of Automated Wind Warning Systems: Final Report
   1. Manju Kumar, Christopher Strong
   2. 426705_Final_Report.pdf
2. Tech Memo 2: Operational Benefits
   1. Manju Kumar, Chrisopher Strong
   2. 425705_TM2.pdf
3. Tech Memo 1: Motorist Survey Results
   1. Manju Kumar, Christopher Strong
   2. 426705_TM1.pdf
4. Tech Memo 3: Safety Benefits
   1. Manju Kumar, Christopher Strong
   2. 426705_TM3.pdf

Project Objective

This evaluation will assess the safety, traveler satisfaction and other benefits associated with automated wind warning systems installed in the COATS region, and contrast the relative merits of each system type.

Project Abstract

One challenge facing rural travelers is weather hazards that produce adverse driving conditions at isolated locations. One such hazard is high winds that can cause high-profile vehicles such as recreational or commercial vehicles to overturn, and lower-profile vehicles to leave their lanes, jeopardizing motorist safety. Since wind conditions and patterns are defined significantly by local topography, there is limited ability to mitigate the impacts of wind through improved roadway design.To address localized challenges, the Oregon and California Departments of Transportation (ODOT and Caltrans, respectively) have used intelligent transportation systems (ITS) installations to alert motorists of dangerously windy conditions. These installations include US Route 101 in Oregon at Yaquina Bay and between Port Orford and Gold Beach, and on Interstate 5 in northern California near Weed. Each system has different characteristics from the other two, in terms of the degree of motorist information and automation.This evaluation effort will assess whether these systems have resulted in a reduction in the number of crashes involving high profile vehicles, and will also identify and estimate other benefits such as the cost savings, personnel time savings, and travel time savings. Comparable systems internationally and within the country will also be documented. The evaluation will also include a motorist survey, an assessment of the reliability of the technology, and an assessment of system operations, focusing on validating wind speed and duration thresholds and measuring the operational savings and the accuracy of the controller.

Task Descriptions

1. Motorist Survey
   1. The purpose of the motorist survey is to gauge the subjective responses of motorists to the wind warning systems. Motorists will be surveyed to determine the perceived benefits and effectiveness of the system.
2. Project Management
   1. This task covers overall project management activities that may assist in promoting communication between project sponsors and the research team.
3. Prepare Final Report
   1. This task will involve preparation and distribution of a final report that will summarize the entirety of this evaluation. It will share a similar format to the interim report, but will include an additional year of crash data and technology assessment.
4. Crash Data Analysis
   1. This task will analyze crash data before and after system implementation at each location, to determine whether the wind warning systems have been effective in improving safety by reducing crash frequency or severity. Historical meteorological data will be examined against pre-implementation crash data to identify the strongest correlation between the effects of wind and crashes. Once these correlations have been identified, post-implementation crash data will be analyzed, controlling for the effects of wind conditions.
5. Operations Assessment
   1. This task concentrates on assessing the operations of the system, validating and verifying the algorithms used to activate the warning system, including threshold values of wind speeds and duration. This task includes assessing the operational accuracy of this system, the benefits in operational efficiency such as savings in personnel time by automating these systems, and the perception of these systems by the responsible maintenance staff.
6. Background Research
   1. The purpose of this task is to identify other applications of wind warning systems around the country. This review will include a review of relevant literature about systems that have been deployed or evaluated elsewhere in the country. Comparable systems internationally will also be identified and considered. In addition, contacts with state agencies – via e-mail, telephone or short questionnaire – will be made to determine where other systems may exist in the country.
7. Site Review
   1. This task will focus on a detailed study of the wind warning system locations in both California and Oregon. The research team will first review all relevant documents related to each deployment. In addition to this, a site visit will be made to familiarize the research team with the nature of each location, the nature of wind characteristics, and the volume and mix of vehicle traffic.
8. Technology Assessment
   1. The purpose of this task is to assess the reliability of technologies used in these wind warning systems. System reliability – the extent to which the system operates continuously with a minimum of maintenance, either scheduled or unscheduled – will be established through reviews of maintenance records, and telephone interviews with the responsible maintenance staff.
9. Prepare Interim Report
   1. The purpose of this report is to provide an initial assessment of the performance of the two wind warning systems. This report will be completed after at least one year of operations of each location, and will include crash data analysis and a technological assessment over that time period.

Milestones, Dates, Schedule

Student Involvement

False

Relationship to Other Research Projects

True

Technology Transfer Activities

False

Transportation Research Board Keywords

Wind Warning, Weather Mobility, Traveler Information, Rural ITS

Partners

California and Oregon Departments of Transportation and Research and Innovative Technology Administration