FORETELL: PROVIDING INTEGRATED WEATHER INFORMATION SERVICES ACROSS THE UPPER MIDWEST

Weather has an enormous effect on travel and road conditions. Drifting snow, ice, fog, and gusty winds are some of the weather events that contribute to the deaths of more than 1150 U.S. and Canadian highway users every winter. Adverse conditions cut surface friction, impact highway capacities and reduce accessibility, damaging industry and rural economies alike. To help address these difficulties, various agencies within the U.S. and Canada are currently working together in the FORETELL™ project to develop an integrated strategy for providing detailed, up-to-the-minute weather information dissemination services, bringing to fruition many of the products of meteorological and transportation research initiatives. This paper explores the possibilities for innovative approaches to providing road and weather condition information to diverse users, and suggests ways to broaden the traditional views of information provision through wide-ranging public / private partnerships. Details are provided of the FORETELL™ initiative, currently funded through FHWA research and development, which involves the Departments of Transportation of Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Many other public and private sector agencies are also participating.