ROAD WEATHER INFORMATION SYSTEM DECISION SUPPORT TOOL

In order to ensure safer driving conditions on highways, state highway agencies are exploring the use of new technologies, called road weather information systems (RWISs), that will improve the flow of information regarding hazardous road conditions. The objective of this report is to provide a systematic methodology for highway agencies seeking the costs and benefits associated with implementing RWISs. This objective was achieved through the development of an RWIS Decision Support Tool. This analysis tool provides highway agency decision makers with a methodology through which different RWIS implementation alternatives can be evaluated from economic, qualitative, and environmental perspectives. The RWIS Decision Support Tool also includes an RWIS project prioritization model that ranks various RWIS projects by need to help determine and document which potential sites are the most crucial. In addition, this report includes two case studies demonstrating the use of the RWIS Decision Support Tool. The first case study evaluated various alternatives for implementing a low water crossing monitoring system (LWCMS) in Kerrville, Texas. Using the results obtained from the model, we determined that the best solution would be to implement an LWCMS on FM 1338 at Goat Creek crossing. The purpose of the second case study was to evaluate whether it is cost beneficial to implement an RWIS on Interstate 20 near Abilene, Texas. The model determined that it was cost beneficial to implement this system. This report concludes with an RWIS implementation plan for the Texas Department of Transportation and provides recommendations for future research involving road weather information systems.