The amount of available weather information and the methods by which this information can be disseminated to travelers have grown considerably in recent years. This growth includes weather gathering devices (sensors, satellites), models and forecasting tools for predicting weather conditions, and electronic devices used by drivers (Internet, in-vehicle devices, roadway signage). This project was initiated in order to best-align available weather information content and presentation to travelers’ information needs and wants, as well as being communicated in ways that travelers will use. The specific objectives of this project were to: 1. Identify the weather information requirements of travelers across a representative number of travel scenarios. 2. Evaluate the current state of the practice in weather-responsive traffic advisory and control strategies in terms of meeting those information requirements. 3. Recommend ways to improve those practices including the development of communication and messaging standards. A set of improvements and guidelines have been recommended to support Transportation officials in communicating both pre-trip and en route road weather information effectively, consistently and timely to meet the needs of drivers and travelers for different weather conditions and travel scenarios. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting