Recent developments in technology and communications are allowing us to do things in road weather monitoring that we didn’t even dream about some years ago. These changes have had a huge impact on road safety and maintenance operations, as well as on the drivers’ experiences.

The atmosphere is a chaotic system, producing adverse weather that has a major impact on people’s everyday lives. Even if forecasting models and observation equipment are becoming increasingly sophisticated and accurate, there will always remain a level of uncertainty when it comes to weather. Real-time observations are required to make sense of and be prepared for this great unknown.

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), including wireless communications, sophisticated computational technologies and video vehicle detection, are increasing their popularity around the world. Weather information solutions are becoming an integral part of these systems. Improving the traffic flow and overall safety are key priorities.

People are starting to realize that investment in sophisticated road weather information systems really pays off. Road maintenance authorities can optimize their operations and overcome the guesswork, and drivers feel more secure and better informed. The more information that can be delivered to the driver - either in the vehicle or at the roadside - the better. For example, mobile variable message signs (VMS) enable flexible ways for communicating life-saving information.

Movable sensors increase flexibility
In-situ observation technologies have taken some major leaps forward in recent years. One of them is the development of the non-intrusive sensors, which measure road conditions remotely. For example, the Vaisala sensors can be installed on existing structures, such as lighting poles, traffic signals and buildings, instead of digging up the road and embedding the sensors there. In addition to assessing pavement temperature and state (frost, rain, snow, slush and black ice), these sensors have the unique ability to report road friction and the reduction in grip caused by adverse weather conditions.