Dust Storm Detection and Notification System: Phase 1 (Needs and Equipment Assessment) and Phase 2 (Equipment Procurement)

Details

• Creators:
  Jiang, Ruinian ; Zhang, Jie ; Walke, Greg
• Corporate Creators:
  New Mexico State University. Department of Civil Engineering
• Corporate Contributors:
  New Mexico. Department of Transportation. Research Bureau ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Detection And Identification Systems Dust Equipment Highway Safety Needs Assessment Procurement Road Weather Information Systems Storms Visibility
• Publication/ Report Number:
  NM09TT-01
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; New Mexico
• Edition:
  (May 2008 – December 2011)
• Corporate Publisher:
  New Mexico. Department of Transportation
• Abstract:
  Periodic dust storms in the southwestern region of New Mexico present significant safety hazards to motorists. The associated direct and indirect costs are significant. This project identified the need to continuously detect dust storms and deployed an automated system that will notify motorists of limited visibility conditions, direct motorists how to respond, notify the appropriate authorities, and that is capable of being incorporated into the appropriate New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) District’s existing incident management plan. In Phase I of the project, a needs assessment and equipment survey was performed. The assessment included evaluation of available equipment, appraisal of typical financial and operational requirements of dust storm detection and notification systems, and assessment of associated equipment-specific costs and system performance expectations. The Roadside Weather Information System (RWIS) was selected as the key equipment for dust storm detection. In Phase II, two RWIS stations were purchased and installed: One at MP11 and the other at MP12 on the I-10 New Mexico section. It is recommended that Phase III carry out a two-year, long-term system monitoring and evaluation test. Phase III will verify the performance of the equipment, especially during the dust storm seasons. Optimal ways to maintain and use the equipment and the impact of the dust storm detection system on traffic safety should also be evaluated.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  CO 5252
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:9f1b4258f40582094297fc3d987968c4e562ae0e27d83575e66fc0b9b3e99b77e07f83a6721c03c4b46cc541c749a948fe51629b4209fbf4e80ddf253302f705
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/87319/dot_87319_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 4.80 MB ]