Where the Weather Meets the Road

Weather has broad and significant effects on the roadway environment. Snow, rain, fog, ice, freezing rain, and other weather conditions can impair the ability of drivers to operate their vehicles safely, significantly reduce roadway capacity, and dramatically increase travel times. Multiple roadway activities, from roadway maintenance and construction to shipping, transit, and police operations, are directly affected by inclement weather. Some road weather information is available to users currently, however a disconnect remains between current research and operations, and additional research could yield important safety and economic improvements for roadway users. Meteorology, roadway technology, and vehicle systems have evolved to the point where users could be provided with better road weather information through modern information technologies. The combination of these technologies has the potential to significantly increase the efficiency of roadway operations, road capacity, and road safety. Where the Weather Meets the Road provides a roadmap for moving these concepts to reality. Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1 Introduction2 The Road Weather System of the Future3 Current Meteorological and Transportation Activities Relevant toRoad Weather4 Opportunities to Enhance the Road Weather System5 Implementing Improved Road Weather Research and ManagementProgramsClosing ThoughtsReferencesAppendix A: Statement of TaskAppendix B: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and StaffAppendix C: Presentations to the Committee