Collaboration Across the Road Weather Enterprise: The Pathfinder Project

CHAPTER 5. INTRODUCTION TO PATHFINDER CONCEPTS

THE IMPACT MESSAGE

Here, the term "impact" is used to distinguish the type of information relayed to the public. The "impact forecast" adds value to a standard weather forecast by placing the weather into the context of the local transportation system. Impact considers the weather, the road surface, average traffic volumes, how the weather's interaction with the road surface and/or vehicles will affect traffic, how effective maintenance mitigation efforts will be during the event, and so on. Classifying the impact of an upcoming event demands a thorough knowledge of the weather and traffic in a given area, as well as some understanding of human factors. For example, all else being equal, a given winter storm may have a low to moderate impact in an area where traveling in wintry weather is commonplace, but have a high impact in an area that rarely, if ever, encounters wintry road conditions. Time of day and traffic volume are important, as the impact of a weather event will be greatly increased if it is forecast to occur during a peak commute period. While the classification of impacts is somewhat subjective, the Pathfinder participants can arrive at shared impact messages through relationship building, education about each other's agency operations, and collaboration.

Figure 8. Chart. Weather, Roads, Timing, and Motorists Affect Impact.
(Source: Federal Highway Administration)

Refer to Appendix C to Learn More
Refer to some examples of shared weather impact messages.

The term "event" is used throughout this document to denote any specific weather occurrence which has an impact on driving conditions, (e.g., slick roads due to rain, snow or ice; flooded roadways; poor visibility due to fog, heavy precipitation, blowing dust or smoke; or high cross winds). Here, an event usually refers to the entire course of a storm, for example, a winter storm with a defined beginning and ending. An event may last hours or days.

During the winter of 2014-2015, the first winter of the Pathfinder Project, the weather forecast offices (WFOs), departments of transportation (DOTs), and weather service providers (WSPs) collaborated before, during, and after winter storms to establish common impact messages for dissemination. The collaboration was performed via NWSChat, emails, conference calls, and in person. Messages disseminated by the NWS were via services such as text products, websites, graphics, video briefings, and media interviews. DOT Traveler Information (TI) systems such as Dynamic Message Signs, websites, highway advisory radio, and 511 were employed.

THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION

Motorists search for and receive weather-related information from a variety of sources. When inconsistent information is obtained, it becomes increasingly difficult to reach a conclusion on how the weather may potentially impact their travel choices. When State DOTs and the weather enterprise collaborate on shared weather impact messages, consistent information may be obtained across the gamut of sources, which in turn is more likely to allow more travelers to make informed decisions regarding their travel in the face of inclement weather.

Benefits of the Creation of a Shared Weather Impact Message
Provides improved, consistent traveler information and messaging. Reinforces weather and travel messages. Improves public response. Engages the State Department of Transportation and the weather enterprise.

CASE STUDY EXAMPLE OF PATHFINDER COLLABORATION

The mutual benefit of collaboration between DOTs and National Weather Service (NWS) was realized in the initial Pathfinder States where local WFOs and the State DOT's Traffic Operations Centers (TOCs) instigated evolving partnerships to develop impact-specific weather messages for motorists. These messages would be released to the public from both agencies explaining the timing, duration, location and impacts of the weather on local roadways.

Though the State DOTs communicated the messages through TI outlets and the WFOs communicated through advisory products (watch, warning, etc.) and "Weather Story" graphics, the substance of the messages were the same. Most local media outlets closely followed and re-posted advisory products, which further expanded the reach of these messages. As a result of the collaboration, these elements helped travelers make alternative travel plans prior to the worst of the upcoming weather.

From several experiences in the Pathfinder States, the collaborative model has been promoted as an inexpensive method to increase the range and effectiveness of road weather messaging to reach the public prior to events and to help them plan their travel. The improved, consistent information resulted in a more-informed public, improving safety and mobility by decreasing or shifting discretionary travel.

Refer to Appendix D to Learn More
Read specific collaboration examples from the Utah, Wyoming, and Nevada Pathfinder teams.