A Decision Support Tool for Highway Maintenance: A First Principle Thermal Mapping Model & Edward E. Adams WTI / MSU Bozeman, MT Allen R. Curran ThermoAnalytics Inc. Calumet, MI Sponsored by Montana Department of Transportation by Peter Gauer
Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Potential Benefits Information for Maintenance Decisions Information for Maintenance Decisions De-IcingDe-Icing Anti-IcingAnti-Icing Information for Public Information for Public Freeze WarningFreeze Warning Road Weather ConditionsRoad Weather Conditions
Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Basic Physics Surface Heat Budget Surface Heat Budget -G (1 - ) - L + L +H+H+H+H +LE -QG-QG-QG-QG =0=0=0=0
Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Model Chain ETA (40 km) Meteorological Input Data Radiation (downward) Wind Speed Air Temperature Relative Humidity Precipitation Rate
Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman I-90 Bozeman Pass (Test Area) MBZH MELV
Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Meso-Scale Model I (Bozeman Area) Simulation were made using ARPS developed by the Center of Prediction and Analysis of Storms [m/s] M Wind field simulation for Bozeman Area 19/11/ :00 UTC
Meso-Scale Model II (MBZH) Comparison between Simulation and Measurements: 05/12/ /14/2000 G [W/m 2 ] TaTa [ C] M [m/s] LL [W/m 2 ]
Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman WinTherm I (I-90 Rocky Canyon) Thermal Map Period 05/06/ :00 MDT 05/08/ :00 MDT Surface Temperature T sfc Color Coded in C Temperature at MM319
Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman WinTherm II (I-90 MM319) Comparison between 2 Simulations and Measurements T sfc [ C]
Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman WinTherm III (I-90 MM319) Comparison between Simulation and Measurements T sfc [ C]
Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Concluding Remarks A successful implementation of the thermal model chain can be a useful tactical decision support tool for winter highway management. A successful implementation of the thermal model chain can be a useful tactical decision support tool for winter highway management. Coupled with a snowpack model, it can also be a tool to predicted snowpack stability and to forecast avalanche hazard threatening highway sections. Coupled with a snowpack model, it can also be a tool to predicted snowpack stability and to forecast avalanche hazard threatening highway sections.
Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman What need to be done further? Meteo-Model (Improvement of the Meteorological Input Data for Wintherm) : Meteo-Model (Improvement of the Meteorological Input Data for Wintherm) : Cloud Cover Modeling Radiation Cloud Cover Modeling Radiation Nesting: Nesting: Grid Resolution Grid Resolution Number Nesting Steps Number Nesting Steps Thermal Mapping Thermal Mapping Grid Resolution Grid Resolution Adaptive Meshing for Critical Areas Adaptive Meshing for Critical Areas Influence of Surface Properties Influence of Surface Properties Albedo for Snow/Ice Covered Pavements Albedo for Snow/Ice Covered Pavements Melting, Icing, Sublimation, Condensation Melting, Icing, Sublimation, Condensation etc. etc.