Vaisala has successfully pioneered the concept of a modular winter road maintenance management package consisting of several complementary products and services that it designs, makes, and markets. Road Optimisation is one of these services, which is adapted to individual client needs and provides a cost-effective way to maximise the efficient use of personnel, vehicles, and salt in winter maintenance. This article discusses a project that was recently completed for the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment. The contract for the project was awarded in October 1996. The three interrelated parts of the project are: (1) thermal mapping of about 7000km of road; (2) optimisation of the thermally mapped road network; and (3) provision of an ice prediction system to cover the six operational divisions of the province. Thermal mapping will enable the forecasting of road surface temperatures on all parts of the road network to be salted, not only at each of 12 existing sensor sites. It uses UK Meteorological Office weather forecasts for each of 15 sites. As a result, the salted network is classified into warm and cold routes, such that it may be appropriate only cold routes during marginal weather conditions. The system is due to start operating in Winter 1998-1999, and is expected to save up to £500,000 per year.
Abstract