This book covers all aspects of weather with respect of highway maintenance, design, and traffic safety. In chapter 1, climate is considered as a factor in new road design. Sections are provided on: a) the use of climatological surveys when planning a new route; b) weather hazards which affect road traffic; c) wind hazards on roads, motorways and bridges; and d) weather related problems during road construction. The hazards that reduce friction between the tyre and the road surface are then examined, and methods for reducing the effects of these are then presented. These include winter maintenance methods, thermal mapping and road-weather information systems, and snowdrift modelling and control. Hazards that reduce visibility are then considered. These include fog, and blowing dust and sand. The effect of weather upon road accidents is then discussed, including the costs of such accidents and accident prevention strategies. Finally, international programmes set up to tackle weather problems for road traffic are reviewed. This includes the COST 30 and COST 309 projects and the work of SERWEC (Standing European Road Weather Commission).
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