Weather has broad and significant effects on the roadway environment. Snow, rain, fog, ice, freezing rain, and other weather conditions can impair the ability of drivers to operate their vehicles safely, significantly reduce roadway capacity, and dramatically increase travel times. Multiple roadway activities, from roadway maintenance and construction to shipping, transit, and police operations, are directly affected by inclement weather. Some road weather information is available to users currently, however a disconnect remains between current research and operations, and additional research could yield important safety and economic improvements for roadway users. Meteorology, roadway technology, and vehicle systems have evolved to the point where users could be provided with better road weather information through modern information technologies. The combination of these technologies has the potential to significantly increase the efficiency of roadway operations, road capacity, and road safety. Where the Weather Meets the Road provides a roadmap for moving these concepts to reality.

The Strategic Highway Research Program sponsored research into the use of road weather information systems (RWIS) for highway snow and ice control. The research indicated that the use of RWIS technologies can improve the efficiency and effectiveness as well as reduce the costs of highway winter maintenance practices. Volume 2, the implementation guide supplements Volume 1, the research report, which documents the research.

The Strategic Highway Research Program sponsored research into the use of road weather information systems (RWIS) for highway snow and ice control. The research indicated that the use of RWIS technologies can improve the efficiency and effectiveness as well as reduce the costs of highway winter maintenance practices. Volume 2, the implementation guide supplements Volume 1, the research report, which documents the research.

This report provides a Communications Plan for Phase 2 of a Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) project in Arizona. It addresses the basic communications problems that have been previously encountered, such as a lack of reliable communications links in rural areas, interoperability of the RWIS sites and communication infrastructure, and publication of the RWIS data to all interested personnel at the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). This report describes both a statewide communications architecture and the roadside to central processing unite communications connectivity. The communications architecture will allow for the statewide integration of the RWIS equipment, as well as including Truck Escape Ramp monitoring systems, potential Rest Area monitoring, water level flood monitors, remote area weather stations, and connectivity with variable message signs (VMS).