1. Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (OFCM) Presentation for the ITS America 2006 Annual Meeting May 9, 2006 Working Group for Weather Information for Surface Transportation Improving the Safety and Efficiency of the Surface Transportation System Samuel P. Williamson Federal Coordinator for Meteorology

2. Overview OFCM Background Importance of Surface Transportation Weather Surface Transportation Weather R&D Requirements Summary

3. To ensure the effective use of Federal meteorological resources by leading the systematic coordination of operational weather requirements, services, and supporting research, among the Federal agencies High-level focus on:  Needs and Requirements  Issues and Problems  Studies, Reports, Plans, and Handbooks  Crosscut Reviews, Assessments, and Analyses To ensure the effective use of Federal meteorological resources by leading the systematic coordination of operational weather requirements, services, and supporting research, among the Federal agencies High-level focus on:  Needs and Requirements  Issues and Problems  Studies, Reports, Plans, and Handbooks  Crosscut Reviews, Assessments, and Analyses OFCM Background OFCM Mission

4. OFCM Background Federal Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (FCMSSR) Interdepartmental Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (ICMSSR) Federal Coordinator for Meteorology Standing Committees Program Councils National Space Weather Program National Aviation Weather Program Environmental Services, Operations, and Research Needs Operational Processing Centers Environmental Information Systems and Communications Integrated Observing Systems Climate Analysis, Monitoring and Services Cooperative Research Working Group for Urban Meteorology Federal Meteorological Coordinating Infrastructure

5. Roadway sector: Weather-related safety and cost data estimates - Over 7,300 fatalities per year - Over 713,000 injured - $42 billion in economic costs - Over 544 million hours in delays Marine transportation sector: 7 percent of recreational boating accidents are weather-related Railway sector: 309 weather-related accidents, over $46 million in damages, 3 deaths, 75 injuries, plus periodic delays and delays due to extreme temperature events (2001) Pipeline sector: Impact of Hurricane Katrina was 90 percent of oil platforms in Gulf were shut down and 20 rigs reported missing Safety and Efficiency Importance of Surface Transportation Weather Fatalities Per Year 245358182372744521 7000 FloodLightningTornadoHurricaneHeatColdWinter StormTotalAdverse Road Weather

6. Roadway sector: –Speed reductions can range from 10 to 25 percent on wet pavement; from 30 to 40 percent with snowy or slushy pavement –Estimated that 23 percent of non-recurrent delay on highways across nation due to snow, ice, and fog –State / local agencies spend more than:  $2.3 billion / yr on snow & ice control control operations  $5 billion to repair snow & ice infrastructure damage –Trucking companies and other CVOs lose an estimated 32.6 billion vehicle hours a year due to weather-related congestion –Estimated cost of weather-related delay to trucking companies ranges from $2.2 billion to $3.5 billion annually Importance of Surface Transportation Weather Safety and Efficiency

7. Importance of Surface Transportation Weather WIST: Improve Surface Transportation Safety & Efficiency? National ITS Program Plan, 10-year Vision  Weather common threat to performance of all transportation modes  Significant benefits from operators using tailored weather products Examples:  Installation of fog detection and warning system Interstate 75 in Tennessee (1994) Improved safety; fog-related accidents reduced to zero (0)  Finnish road weather service system improves roadway monitoring Result: shorten de-icing activities by 23 minutes on average Cost savings: $900K/yr in accident costs, $60K/yr in time cost, and $20K/yr for vehicle cost in the test district  511 usage shows increasing use and great potential

8. Source: December 2002 WIST Report Importance of Surface Transportation Weather Need for an Integrated Approach to Surface Transportation R&D

9. Integrated, end-to-end components: – Observations – Modeling, forecasts, warnings, advisories, and verification – Weather information dissemination – Decision support systems – Education, outreach, and awareness – Data management – Performance measures and improved weather-related crash reporting Surface Transportation Weather R&D Rqmts Components

10. Relative Weather Impacts on WIST Working Group Goals for Roadways FatalitiesInjuriesDelayCosts Liquid Precipitation 1122 Frozen Precipitation 2211 High Winds-- 43 Fog3334 Surface Transportation Weather R&D Rqmts Priorities

11. Surface Transportation Weather R&D Rqmts Inclusive Design

12. 1.What is the name of the research project being conducted / sponsored? 2.Who is conducting the research? 3.What surface transportation weather-related problem are you trying to solve and what surface transportation safety, mobility or efficiency benefits do you see resulting from your efforts? Surface Transportation Weather R&D Rqmts Ongoing R&D Activities Surface Transportation Weather-related Research and Development Activity Report

13. 4.What report or action prompted or helped shape this effort to be started (e.g., report recommendation, DOT project)? 5.When are the results of the research expected to be available for others to use? 6.What is your vision (3-10+ years) of how weather information will be used to optimize surface transportation operations and safety, and what specific hurdles must be overcome to reach such a vision? Surface Transportation Weather R&D Rqmts Ongoing R&D Activities (continued) Surface Transportation Weather-related Research and Development Activity Report

14. June 6June 7June 8 Academic Community and Research Institutes Private Companies and Industry Associations Government Agencies State ITS-related and Other Transportation Testbeds Broadcasters, Media, and Other Disseminators of Information Emergency Response, Homeland Security, National Defense, and Medical Response All workshops originating from OFCM offices in Silver Spring, MD All workshops supported by webcast and teleconference capabilities Seeking surface transportation stakeholder input on R&D priorities and ongoing R&D activities Surface Transportation Weather R&D Rqmts Workshops

15. June 13June 14 Transportation Vehicle and Equipment Manufacturers Environmental and Climate Weather Equipment and Network Manufacturers All workshops originating from OFCM offices in Silver Spring, MD All workshops supported by webcast and teleconference capabilities Seeking surface transportation stakeholder input on R&D priorities and ongoing R&D activities Surface Transportation Weather R&D Rqmts Workshops (continued)

16. SUMMARY Real and growing need for improved surface weather data, forecasts, integration, dissemination, and education  Safe, efficient movement of goods and people We need an integrated, end-to-end approach to ongoing and planned R&D activities Through WG/WIST:  Working to develop that approach  Seek everyone’s input and support

17. OFCM Web Site WIST Report is available on OFCM Web Site Click on “Publications” and navigate to the desired location http://www.ofcm.gov/