National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Real-Time Transportation Infrastructure Information Systems: Applications

2 Outline Why NOAA is Here NOAA’s Mobile Sensing Experience NOAA Applications of Probe Vehicle Data Challenges

3 Why NOAA is Here NOAA is responsible for protecting life and property and promoting safe and efficient commerce and transportation Existing national weather information is inadequate for highway operations Sensors on vehicles could provide continuous data on air and road surface temperature, visibility, precipitation, etc. ~1,400,000 weather-related highway crashes and ~7,000 deaths per year

4 Experience: In the Air

5 Experience: At Sea

6 Experience: On Land Three fundamental deficiencies today –Lack of transportation system relevant weather observations –Lack of understanding on how to apply weather information in decision making –Lack of capabilities for predicting and/or assessing surface level weather phenomena VII opens the opportunity for empirical data gathering not possible otherwise

7 VII Decision Making Opportunities –Immediate response (e.g. black ice, fog banks) conveyed in seconds to minutes –Tactical response (e.g. thunderstorms, flash floods) forecast in minutes to hours –Strategic response (e.g. blizzards, floods, heat) forecast in hours to days VII enables enhanced response and planning through improvements to weather observations, models, and predictions

8 Probe Data GPS Data Turn Signal Speed Odometer Wipers Headlights Hazard Signal Traction Control ABS Airbag Rain Sensor Sun Sensor Fog Lamps Temperature

9 HEAVY RAIN GO SLOW LOW VISIBILITY MILE 20 MILE 25 RSU VII Application: Heavy Rain/Low Visibility Weather Indicators: Are Wipers on? What Rate? Are Headlights on? Is the Rain Sensor Detecting Rain? Responses: In Vehicle DisplayOverhead “Slow Down”Sign Driver Action Take Immediate Action

10 MILE 24 MILE 25 WARNING GO SLOW ICE AHEAD VII Application: Ice Weather Indicators: Is traction control engaged? Is the temperature near freezing? Are Hazard Lights on? Responses: In Vehicle DisplayOverhead “Slow Down”Sign Driver Action Take Immediate Action

11 NOAA Applications of Probe Vehicle Data Observations to assist warning decisions Input to weather models Verification of warnings and forecasts Calibrates remote sensors Dissemination of information back to the vehicle State DOT Server National Surface Transportation Weather Observation and Forecast System NOAA Forecasts - Use for General Awareness Watch/Warning /Advisory- county- or area- specific DMS Road Section Specific VII Point Private or Public Interface Input Output

12 Challenges Overcoming technical obstacles –Translating observations into meaningful information –Rural vs Urban Addressing privacy issues Integrating data –Other systems and applications Pulling together expertise –Partnerships are crucial for success

13 NOAA Priorities Focus on Public Safety Validate requirements Maximize existing data and services Work with transportation and weather partners Research to operations Participate in Clarus & VII

14 Conclusion Probe data can: –improve forecast decision making, weather model predictions, forecast verification, remote sensor calibration –enable a feedback loop bringing weather information to the dashboard More info available at: surfaceweather.noaa.gov

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Real-Time Transportation Infrastructure Information Systems: Applications 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD