Road Weather Information System (RWIS)

Road Weather Information System (RWIS)

General Description:

Road Weather Information Systems collect atmospheric, pavement surface, sub-surface and video data to provide the most accurate pavement specific weather information available.  Systems typically consist of an Environmental Sensing Station (ESS) and pavement sensors.  Information that is gathered from the sensors can be used to determine when to conduct road maintenance operations in a safe and efficient manner. This and other weather information is used to schedule maintenance personnel and equipment based on current and forecast weather and pavement surface conditions.  Areas with low power may require the use of Solar Power to run some of the equipment. 

 

Effects of Solution:

 

¨     Increase Passenger Throughput

¨     Increase Roadway Capacity

þ     Manage System Efficiency (Improves safety through information)

¨     Reduce Local Demand

 

Road Weather Information Systems assist agencies in determining road conditions.  This information can be relayed to motorists or used internally to assist in scheduling maintenance.  RWIS must be used with some sort of information dissemination source, such as Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) or Dynamic Message Signs (DMS), to reach motorists.

 

Examples of Implementation:

See the Additional Resources section below.

 

Cost/Financial Information:

Source: United States Department of Transportation Intelligent Transportation Systems ITS Benefits, Costs and Lessons Learned Databases.  Available at http://www.benefitcost.its.dot.gov  (Cost/financial information is estimated, and will vary based on size and scope of project, number of units, etc.)

 

 

 

Capital Cost

Operating Cost

 

Road Weather Information System

$13K

$.3-2.0K

      

A RWIS consists of several components: an environmental sensing station (ESS), CPU, workstation with RWIS software, and communications equipment.  Typical costs for an ESS ($10K-$50K) should be added to $13K listed here in order to cost out the entire system.  The CPU should be replaced every 5 years at a cost of $4K. Operating costs includes communication, and optional weather forecast/meteorological service.

 

Additional Resources:

 

RoadWeather.com web page: http://www.roadweather.com/

 

Nevada Department of Transportation web page:

http://www.nevadadot.com/traveler/rwis/