Comparative Evaluation of Wind Warning Systems - Showcase Evaluation #15
Started: July, 2002 Ended: December, 2005 Project ID #426705 Status: Completed
Objective
This evaluation will assess the safety, traveler satisfaction and other benefits associated with automated wind warning systems installed in the COATS region, and contrast the relative merits of each system type.
Abstract
One challenge facing rural travelers is weather hazards that produce adverse driving conditions at isolated locations. One such hazard is high winds that can cause high-profile vehicles such as recreational or commercial vehicles to overturn, and lower-profile vehicles to leave their lanes, jeopardizing motorist safety. Since wind conditions and patterns are defined significantly by local topography, there is limited ability to mitigate the impacts of wind through improved roadway design.To address localized challenges, the Oregon and California Departments of Transportation (ODOT and Caltrans, respectively) have used intelligent transportation systems (ITS) installations to alert motorists of dangerously windy conditions. These installations include US Route 101 in Oregon at Yaquina Bay and between Port Orford and Gold Beach, and on Interstate 5 in northern California near Weed. Each system has different characteristics from the other two, in terms of the degree of motorist information and automation.This evaluation effort will assess whether these systems have resulted in a reduction in the number of crashes involving high profile vehicles, and will also identify and estimate other benefits such as the cost savings, personnel time savings, and travel time savings. Comparable systems internationally and within the country will also be documented. The evaluation will also include a motorist survey, an assessment of the reliability of the technology, and an assessment of system operations, focusing on validating wind speed and duration thresholds and measuring the operational savings and the accuracy of the controller.
Contacts
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Chris Strong - PI
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Robin Kline - Main External Contact
Files & Documents
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Comparative Evaluation of Automated Wind Warning Systems: Final Report
Document by Download this Document (2.55 MB) -
Tech Memo 2: Operational Benefits
Document by Download this Document (0.26 MB) -
Tech Memo 1: Motorist Survey Results
Document by Download this Document (1.31 MB) -
Tech Memo 3: Safety Benefits
Document by Download this Document (0.32 MB)
Sponsors & Partners
- Research and Innovation Technology Administration (RITA) Sponsor
- California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) Co-Sponsor
- Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Co-Sponsor
Part of: Safety and Operations
Project Tagged In: traveler information and communication systems, weather mobility, wind warning, ITS technology, Rural Areas
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