WTI

Safe Passage: Development and Demonstration of a Rural Weather Prediction Model and Motorist Communication System for Safe and Efficient Traffic Management/Infrastructure Maintenance

Primary Investigator Contact Information

External Project Contact(s)

Report(s)

1. Safe Passage: Development & Demonstration of Rural Weather Prediction Model
   1. John Mounce
   2. 428055_Executive_Summary.pdf
2. Safe Passage Final Report
   1. John Mounce
   2. 428055_Final_Report.pdf

Project Objective

To optimize motorist safety and incident management on Interstate 90 between Livingston and Bozeman, Montana.

Project Abstract

Safe and efficient management of transportation facilities is dependent on monitoring, forecasting, and the application of effective information delivery systems. When sudden and dramatic weather changes impact pavement surface conditions, visibility, traffic flow, and other travel conditions, the functions that incorporate weather data collection, prediction, modeling, and forecasting become very critical to the safe management and operation of the roadway. Accurate, timely, and efficient ways in which to disseminate information to travelers impacted by the weather and road conditions are necessary for the safe and efficient operation of the facility. When incidents do occur in these areas, up-to-date information will aid in coordinating the appropriate response to the incident.The SAFE-PASSAGE project is located on Interstate 90, a major east-west corridor between Chicago, Illinois and Seattle, Washington. This route is a vital link in the transportation system on a local and national scale. Locally, Bozeman Pass serves daily commuters from Livingston, Montana that work in Bozeman, Montana, and the reverse is also true. Nationally, this corridor serves the Yellowstone National Park and Greater Yellowstone areas, a major tourism draw during all seasons. This corridor is also a vital link in the commercial transportation infrastructure.The operational problems within the limits of the proposed project are primarily weather related. Severe snow storms, icy road conditions, and high winds all cause road closures within the project limits. Commercial vehicles are particularly affected by the weather and road conditions in this area due to loss of friction resulting in chain requirements and high winds that necessitate slow-speed detours.The SAFE-PASSAGE project involves the development of a new model for the accurate prediction of road and weather conditions. This predictive model will be integrated with several traditional rural ITS technologies including Road and Weather Information Systems (RWIS), Variable Message Signs (VMS), Highway Advisory Radio (HAR), a Rural Traffic Management Center (RTMC), and Rural Advanced Traveler Information System (Rural ATIS). The RTMC’s function will be to serve as the center for control, communications, data collection, data processing, and information dissemination.The objective of this project are to develop, test, implement and evaluate a system that will accurately provide current and future weather and road condition information to highway operators and users. The proposed SAFE-PASSAGE system will significantly improve several aspects of transportation operations and maintenance through a high elevation mountain pass that is subject to severe weather challenges. The system will also enable maintenance and enforcement personnel to more accurately predict pavement temperatures and icy conditions, improve the timing of deicing chemical applications, and improve coordination and dissemination of traveler information on roadways in this high elevation mountain pass corridor. The project will accelerate deployment of similar systems in Montana and other State that have roadways that experience sudden changes in weather and roadway conditions.The result of this project will be to document the benefits of the implemented system. These benefits will primarily be to increase traveler safety, improve operations and maintenance, implement consistent and efficient traffic management tools and methods for more effective operation of the transportation facilities, and increase the usefulness of information to the customer (traveler) through improved safety efficiency, and productivity.

Task Descriptions

1. Planning
   1. The first task in the Safe Passage Project is to identify all parties to be involved, collect data, and determine equipment needs. During this initial task, existing systems and equipment will be identified and evaluated for potential integration with this project.
2. Deployment
   1. Once the design of the project components has been completed, implementation will begin in the field. This will include the placement of sensors, signs and transmitters. The appropriate software will be installed at the RTMC and connected to the field elements. The RTMC personnel will begin collecting and disseminating information according to the guidelines established in Task 2.
3. Evaluation - Year 1
   1. Once the entire Safe Passage system is deployed, the activities of the fully functioning system will be monitored to determine where and if changes need to be made. If any alterations or adjustments need to be made in the system, they will be made at this time. Data will also be collected during this task to measure the effectiveness of the system in improving motorist safety and efficiency.
4. Development
   1. In Task 2, each component of the project will move into the design phase. Systems that will not be designed in-house will be put to bid at this time and an appropriate sub-contractor will be selected. An Operations Manual will be developed to guide the successful operation of the RTMC.
5. Evaluation - Year 2
   1. As a final task, the functioning system will be observed for a second year to determine the impact of any previous system adjustments and the continued impact on motorist safety and efficiency.

Milestones, Dates, Schedule

Student Involvement

True

Relationship to Other Research Projects

False

Technology Transfer Activities

True

Transportation Research Board Keywords

Road Weather Information SystemsHighway Advisory RadioDriver Information System

Partners

Montana Department of Transportation and Research and Innovative Technology Administration