ROAD WEATHER INFORMATION SYSTEMS (RWIS) FOR IVHS APPLICATIONS AND IMPROVED MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES

This paper provides an overview of remote pavement weather sensing technology and bridge/highway/turnpike specific weather conditions and pavement temperature forecasting for maintenance and Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Systems. Components of remote pavement weather sensing systems and applied application include: Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) data processing units, data handlers, color enhanced computer workstations, and system software that provide the user with instant recognition of significant changes in pavement and atmospheric weather conditions. An advanced numerical weather forecasting computer model, based on the heat balance equation, which can provide motorist and maintenance managers with a 24-hour prediction of pavement temperature and surface conditions. Proposed products and applications from the RWIS for the Advanced Transportation Information System (ATIS) to be developed under the IVHS program.