Transportation agencies rely on accurate weather information to ensure the safety, mobility and productivity of winter highways, where the driving conditions are often worsened by inclement weather. The benefits of accurate weather information are evident when contrasted with costs of inaccurate weather information such as excessive use of chemicals and materials, failure to respond in a timely manner to a storm event and unplanned use of overtime staffing. Research regarding the potential benefits of improved weather information was conducted in the early 1990s by the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP); however, winter maintenance practices have evolved since that time. The current project will update and build upon work completed in the SHRP project and evaluate the benefits and costs of weather information for winter maintenance. The results of this assessment should help transportation agencies to guide and direct future investment in weather information services and technologies.
This project provided a current benefit-cost assessment for weather information on winter maintenance.
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