ROAD WEATHER INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Road Weather Information Systems are automated weather reporting stations
with special sensors embedded in and below the road, and on nearby towers. These
systems collect detailed data on weather conditions at and near the road
surface, which can assist weather forecasters in predicting road surface
conditions. Road maintenance crews can use "real-time" road weather information
to decide if road treatment is necessary, when to treat, what chemicals or
mixtures to use, and how much is required.
Road Weather Information Systems have two major benefits. First, by enabling
maintenance crews to treat roads in advance of icing conditions, winter driving
safety can be enhanced. Second, by reducing the overall amount of road salt
used, they can help mitigate the negative impact of road salt on the
environment.
Canada already has more than 150 roadside sensor sites, installed by various
jurisdictions. Since these sensors were installed at different times using
different technologies, jurisdictions cannot all share information. An
integrated system will provide consistent weather information for all
jurisdictions. With the implementation of a national Road Weather Information
System, Canada will be a world leader in large-scale, integrated road weather
technology.
Since 1999, Transport Canada and Environment Canada have worked with the
provinces and territories to create a cross-Canada network of high quality road
weather systems that would be installed on the National Highway System.
The federal government is negotiating with the provinces and territories to
finalize contribution and data sharing agreements for these systems. Once an
agreement is in place, construction of the environmental sensor sites along the
National Highway System can begin. The negotiations, construction and activation
are expected to take up to two years.
Transport Canada has concluded agreements with most provinces and territories
and activation of stations will likely be completed by the end of 2006.
Negotiations for data sharing agreements will continue.
December 2005
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