Citation

Askelson M. Transp. Res. Circular 2008; (E-C126): 544-557.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, U.S. National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Road maintenance personnel are responsible for keeping roads safe and thus plowing and chemically treating roads. In order to manage this activity, real-time information regarding where and how much precipitation has fallen is required. Our ability to determine these, however, is limited. Surface observation data are limited owing to lack of spatial and temporal densities and because few surface observation sites provide real-time information regarding wintertime precipitation accumulation. Radar data, on the other hand, provide much improved spatial and temporal coverage. These data, though, are limited because radar beams commonly overshoot winter precipitation systems and because radar-based precipitation estimates typically have greater errors than do surface observation– based estimates. Satellite data are limited by their temporal resolution and by the fact that they have not commonly been applied to relatively weak wintertime systems. In response to the need for road maintenance personnel for improved information regarding where and how much snow has fallen, the Pavement Precipitation Accumulation Estimation System (PPAES) has been developed. PPAES utilizes surface, radar, satellite, and model–analysis data and is designed to take advantage of the strengths of these data sets so as to provide as accurate information regarding wintertime precipitation occurrence and accumulation as possible. Specifically, this information is provided along roadways, where travelers and maintenance personnel need it most. PPAES design, development, and validation will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on validation results for different PPAES modules, especially the satellite-based module. In addition, continuing development and future challenges will be considered.