NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF ROADVIEW (TRADEMARK) ADVANCED SNOWPLOW TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM

The RoadView (Trademark) system was originally developed to determine the feasibility of implementing an advanced snowplow control system to improve the safety and efficiency of snow removal operations. As follow-on research, this evaluation was designed to determine the magnitude of the challenges faced by snowplow operators, particularly during low-visibility conditions. Both a needs assessment and a benefit-cost analysis (BCA) of the RoadView system are provided. The analyses focused on data gathered primarily from four western states: Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming. The three main factors to be considered in the needs assessment and potential BCA were safety, mobility, and operational issues. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from participating departments of transportation, including a survey distributed to snowplow operators in the four designated states. The survey was designed to gain further insight into perceived problems with limited-visibility snow removal operations and to examine current methods being used by snowplow operators to improve their spatial and situational awareness during low-visibility conditions. Results indicated the three methods most used by snowplow operators to maintain their lane position are visual. Operators had a high perceived usefulness of technology that would assist in detecting obstacles and provide lane position information. The BCA indicated that RoadView would be most beneficial on roadways with high traffic volumes associated with significant road closures due to winter weather conditions.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/circulars/ec063.pdf
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• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00978515
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

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  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Kack, D
  • Cuelho, E
• Conference:
  • Sixth International Symposium on Snow Removal and Ice Control Technology
  • Location: Spokane, Washington
  • Date: 2004-6-7 to 2004-6-9
• Publication Date: 2004-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 332-347
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Circular
  • Issue Number: E-C063
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0097-8515

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Advanced vehicle control systems; Benefit cost analysis; Needs assessment; Snow removal; Snowplows; State departments of transportation; Surveys; Visibility; Winter maintenance
• Uncontrolled Terms: Reduced visibility; Snowplow operators
• Geographic Terms: Idaho; Montana; North Dakota; Wyoming
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Vehicles and Equipment; I62: Winter Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00974855
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: E-C063,, SNOW04-005, SNOW04-039
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Jun 10 2004 12:00AM