TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES REFINE REMOTE FORECASTING

This article reports how advanced surface measurement and data communication technology now make it possible to predict road and runway temperatures accurately at long distances from a forecast centre. Birmingham University and the Transport and Road Research Laboratory developed an Ice Prediction model, based on a heat balance equation using known thermal characteristics of the road and runway materials. The model needs to be initialised by real-time information from the road surface, provided by remote sensors, and the prediction is based on accurate weather forecasts in 3-hourly steps. Today, many authorities have road sensor outstations linked to their central computers by dial-up telephone lines. The computer processes data from the outstations and produces graphical displays of the relevant parameters alongside the weather forecast information from the forecast centre. As a result of this continual comparison, any developing forecast inaccuracies can be updated immediately and the authority can be informed. Examples are given of successful forecasting services of this type, provided by forecasting specialist Oceanroutes to clients in the UK, USA and Brazil. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/3831968
• Corporate Authors:

  D.R. Publications Limited

  Faversham House, 111 St James Road
  Croydon, Surrey CR9 2TH,   England 
• Authors:
  • Brownhill, J
  • Jones, R
• Publication Date: 1990-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 21
• Serial:
  • Highways
  • Volume: 58
  • Issue Number: 1966
  • Publisher: Alad Limited
  • ISSN: 0142-6168
  • Serial URL: http://www.highways-mag.co.uk

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Pavements; Remote sensing; Snow and ice control; Technological innovations; Telecommunications; Temperature measurement; Weather forecasting
• ITRD Terms: 2567: Black ice; 132: Forecast; 2955: Pavement; 6120: Sensor; 6722: Temperature; 2593: Winter maintenance
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00609885
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 30 1991 12:00AM