1. Weather Information for Surface Transportation (WIST) Update on WG/WIST Activities and the 3 rd National Surface Transportation Weather Symposium Paul Pisano Federal Highway Admin. Jim O’Sullivan National Weather Service July 18, 2007

2. Overview Purpose WIST – A Brief History Background Symposium Details Summary

3. Purpose To update CESORN on Working Group WIST (WG/WIST) activities and the upcoming surface transportation weather symposium (July 25-27, 2007) and follow-on WG/WIST efforts

4. WIST – A Brief History Two initial WIST symposia (1999, 2000) Weather Information for Surface Transportation – National Needs Assessment Report (December 2002) AMS Policy Forum, Weather and Highways (November 2003) NRC report, Where the Weather Meets the Road-A Research Agenda for Improving Road Weather Services (January 2004) OFCM WIST Working Group (WG/WIST) Charted by ICMSSR (2004) –To develop WIST Research plan –To develop WIST Implementation plan

5. WIST – A Brief History Weather Information for Surface Transportation (WIST) Initiative Document - First Steps to Improve the Nation’s WIST Capabilities and Services (September 2005) SAFETEA-LU, Section 5308 (2006) –Clarus initiative –Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS) Weather Information for Surface Transportation - Update on Weather Impacts and WIST Results (August 2006)

6. Roadway: Over 6,442,000 vehicle crashes per year on average –More than 24% are weather-related (1.57 million) –Nearly 7,400 people killed and over 690,000 people injured –About 25% of non-recurrent delays on freeways are weather-related –Weather-related delay adds $3.4 billion to freight costs annually Railway: 865 weather-related crashes between 1995 and 2005 –8 deaths, 1,242 injuries, and $189 million in property damage costs –Most crashes were associated with extreme temperature variations Marine Transportation System: Between 1996 and 2000 –Weather-related causes accounted for 11% of marine transportation mishaps and 3.6% of all recreational boating mishaps Transit: National weather-related mishap statistics not available –However, overall safety incidents decreased from 2002 to 2004, resulting in a decrease of 32 fatalities and 278 injuries Pipeline: In 2005, 4 weather-related fatalities and 14 injuries –Three fatalities were attributed to incidents caused by temperature and one to high winds Airport Ground Operations: National statistics not available –There are anecdotal examples of weather’s impact –For example, all airport grounds operations cease when lightning is detected within a certain distance of an airport Background - Weather Impacts

7. Over 4 years ago, first report on improving surface transportation safety and efficiency with improved weather/climate information –2002 WIST Report, Weather Information for Surface Transportation (WIST)— National Needs Assessment Report Public, private, and academic coordination and collaboration on WIST programs has increased and may be starting to show progress Data collection and incident monitoring is limited, however, available, raw data show that progress may be occurring. For example: –Roadways: Weather-related roadway crash injuries declined by 3.5% (21, 023 injuries) in the first 2 years following the release of the WIST Report in 2002 During the same period, vehicle-miles driven increased by 3.7% The 21,023 fewer injuries equate to about $0.5B saved in direct and indirect economic consequences –Marine Transportation System: From 2002 to 2004, weather-related recreational boating accidents decreased from 228, with 66 fatalities, to 178 with 43 fatalities Since 2002, weather has dropped out of the Coast Guard’s “Top Ten Contributing Factors” for recreational accidents Background – WIST Improvements

8. Railway: –Annual average railway weather-related fatalities are much lower than roadways –Between 2002 and 2005, property damage attributed to weather-related railway accidents decreased by $1,016,378 511 and local TV/Radio broadcasts: –Surveys of users of State “511” road information services show that users use information on weather conditions affecting their route of travel –Most of these WIST users have altered their route or their travel plans to avoid weather-related hazards or delays –Local television and radio stations now routinely carry combined traffic and weather updates specific to their broadcast area Trucking and automobile manufactures: –Some roadway freight lines are equipping their trucks to receive NOAA Weather Radio anywhere on the Nation’s highways –Automobile manufacturers equipping cars with radios that can receive NOAA Weather Radio Background – WIST Improvements

9. WIST Mini-workshops held in June 2006 –18 organizations reported on 49 WIST-related R&D activities underway (see slide below for details) –Not all inclusive--more work to be discovered Background – WIST R&D Activities

10. Focusing our resources on the top priority needs in R&D and application development, in such areas as: –Lessening weather’s impact in causing congestion –Meeting travelers’ need for timely, local weather information –Improving access to WIST before and during travel –Enhancing surface transportation weather observation collection –Incorporating WIST into warning and decision support processes –Increasing user understanding of how to use WIST products Background – WIST Challenges

11. Finding opportunities to partner and leverage other R&D and application development activities to meet WIST needs: –Urban Meteorology –Aviation Meteorology –Tropical cyclone R&D –MPAR Risk Reduction Program –University Transportation Centers –Commercial weather vendors –Automobile manufactures –State and local DOTs and road maintenance activities –Social science Background – WIST Challenges

12. Symposium Details - Theme 3 rd National Surface Transportation Weather Symposium Improving commerce and reducing deaths and injuries through innovative, weather-related R&D and applications for the surface transportation system

13. Symposium Details - Approach PipelinesMarine Roadways TransitRail Airport Ground Cross-Cutting Themes Stakeholder Response Information Dissemination Modeling & Prediction Data Collection & Analysis Surface Transportation R&D Needs

14. Symposium Details - Objectives 3 rd National Surface Transportation Weather Symposium Overarching Objective: Provide a forum for the surface (sfc) transportation weather and transportation research and user communities to work together to enhance collaboration and partnerships, ultimately helping to improve sfc transportation weather products/services for those who use, operate, and manage sfc transportation infrastructure Enhance understanding of social / economic benefits derived from increased use of improved sfc transportation weather and climate info Review, validate, and prioritize sfc transportation weather research and development needs Define and prioritize the products / services needed to support sfc transportation community Provide recommendations for weather and sfc transportation communities on way ahead to meet needs using attendee input / feedback Provide information on sfc transportation weather and climate activities to enhance decision-making processes

15. Symposium Details - Logistics 3 rd National Surface Transportation Weather Symposium Location – Sheraton Premiere at Tysons Corner, Vienna, VA Agenda – 25-27 July 2007 –July 25 th Keynote Session Social & Economic Impacts & Benefits R&D Priorities Leveraging R&D –July 26 th Observations Modeling & Prediction Information Dissemination Pathway to Operations –July 27 th Closing Session on the Keys to Success – Creating Synergy

16. Summary Data indicates initial WIST efforts may be having positive impact Need to further coordinate WIST efforts to overcome challenges and leverage existing resources WG/WIST is developing a WIST R&D and Implementation Plan –Supported by ICMSSR to provide focus and structure to WIST improvement efforts –3 rd National Surface Transportation Weather Symposium July 25-27, 2007