Utilizing Vehicle Data for Road Weather Management (Pikalert 5.0).

NHTSA · 2017 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office

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Summary

This paper introduces Pikalert 5.0, a software system developed by the Federal Highway Administration’s Road Weather Management Program to leverage connected vehicle data for improved road weather management. The research is motivated by the significant operational disruptions caused by adverse weather conditions, such as reduced pavement friction, visibility restrictions, and lane obstructions, which lead to increased travel times, delays, and maintenance costs. While traditional traffic signals and management strategies are often optimized for clear conditions, the integration of connected vehicle technologies offers a transformative approach. By utilizing data from a vast fleet of mobile sources, the system aims to provide high-resolution, route-specific weather information that enhances the ability to detect, forecast, and mitigate weather impacts on roadways. The Pikalert system is designed to assess current conditions and generate forecasts up to 72 hours using a combination of connected vehicle observations, Road Weather Information Stations (RWIS), radar, and numerical weather model analysis. The architecture consists of a backend processing subsystem and a server/display subsystem. The backend ingests Controller Area Network Bus (CANBus) data and sensor inputs through a Vehicle Data Translator, which applies rigorous quality checks—including standard range, climate range, spatial, persistence, and time-step checks—to filter erroneous observations. Validated data is then processed by the Road Weather Hazard module, which uses decision tree logic to assess precipitation, pavement, and visibility conditions. The Road Condition and Treatment Module generates forecasts and treatment recommendations, while the Road Weather Alert module formats this data for output. The system provides three distinct graphical interfaces tailored to different user needs. The Enhanced Maintenance Decision Support System (EMDSS) serves maintenance personnel with 72-hour forecasts and specific road treatment recommendations. The Motorist Advisories and Warnings (MAW) web display offers the public 24-hour forecasts for pre-trip planning, excluding treatment details. Additionally, a MAW phone application provides hands-free audio alerts for hazardous conditions and notifications when conditions clear. The system focuses on three primary conditions: precipitation, road surface status, and visibility. Pikalert 5.0 is available as open-source software, allowing for the conversion of mobile data into JSON format for easy integration and presentation, thereby supporting both strategic maintenance planning and tactical decision-making for travelers.

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