RITA | ITS | Benefits: Trucking companies say highway advisory radio and road weather information systems made them safer.

Trucking companies say highway advisory radio and road weather information systems made them safer.

The Washington State Department of Transportation deployed improved road weather information systems (RWIS) and highway advisory radio (HAR) on a remote section of US-395 north of Spokane, Washington. An evaluation of the project used customer satisfaction surveys to evaluate the impacts of ITS information on the behavior, safety, and efficiency of commercial vehicle operators (CVOs). The surveys focused on trip timing, trip routing, and level of preparedness.

During the baseline survey data collection period (winter of 2000-2001), Internet weather information covered the immediate Spokane area only, and broadcast radio reports were limited to providing general information on traffic conditions. Closed circuit television camera coverage and on-site highway advisory radio systems were not available

In 2002, WSDOT integrated two environmental sensing stations with a RWIS and Transportation Management Center. The information collected by the environmental sensor stations and CCTV cameras was disseminated to travelers via the WSDOT traveler information website. In addition, two mobile HAR systems provided travelers with updated information in the areas of Loon Lake and Laurier on US-395, and at Sherman Pass on SR-20.

The evaluation team identified approximately 40 carriers in the project corridor who were willing to participate in “before” and “after” telephone interviews. The carriers selected were estimated to be representative of the regional community of commercial trucking companies.

During the post deployment period, 39 CVOs were surveyed and asked, “Has the availability of HARs, camera images of key roadway segments, and enhanced Internet information affected driving safety for you in this region compared with last year?” Eleven of the respondents said they did not know whether their drivers used these information sources, or they themselves did not use them. Of the remaining 28 CVOs, 16 (57%) said the availability of the new information made them “somewhat” or “a lot” safer. The remainder (12 CVOs, 43%) said the safety benefit to them was “about the same as before.” No one reported a reduction in safety.

See the related ITS Benefits Database entry for more information.

See the related system cost data in the ITS Costs Database.

Past "Benefit of the Month" summaries are also available.