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PROJECT DETAILS

Project Type
Faculty-Initiated Research
Project Dates
09/01/2016 - 07/31/2018
Principal Investigators
Institution
Project Status
Complete

During winter seasons, road surface conditions are subject to adverse weather conditions. The severity of winter weather varies across the country. Weather-related crashes usually occur on slick pavements due to the presence of water, snow, ice, and fog. On average, twenty-three percent (23%) of vehicle crashes each year are weather-related form 2002 to 2012 (NHTSA data). Therefore, winter road maintenance operations are needed to keep roads safe and clean for users. The most common snow and ice control techniques are mechanical (sand and salt spreading; snow plowing and removal) and chemical methods (application of chemicals as freezing point depressants for de-icing or anti-icing). The goal of winter maintenance is to apply the right treatment at critical locations at the right time and at minimum costs. Pavement surface temperature is an important indicator deciding the optimal time to apply anti- icing chemicals and estimating the effect of a particular deicer and the optimal amount required. This research aims to evaluate the applicability of simulation models for Road Weather Information System (RWIS).