A severe weather index (SWI) was developed and tested using RWIS data from 2012 to 2020. The developed SWI model has an overall adjusted R2 = 0.67. The severity bounds are defined as low (0 to 1.2), moderate (1.2 to 8), and severe (greater than 8). The SWI model was tested quantitively and qualitatively using 2019-2020 winter weather data and input from maintenance managers. The SWI was found to perform well at identifying low and severe storms. Future work calibrating the SWI will help to better define lower and upper bounds of the moderate severity category. Key outcomes of this effort outside of the development of the SWI model include the identification of locations where blowing and drifting snow impacts the road network, the identification of future sites for RWIS stations, survey results describing RWIS use by MDOT SHA maintenance crews, and a detailed review of the RWIS network and data. In addition to the development of the SWI, extensive recommendations have been made that aim at improving the SWI and overall winter maintenance operations.
Researchers developed a step-by-step guide and a flowchart tool to help agencies identify or develop severity index methods that fit their needs and t...
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United States Department of Transportation
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