Snow Removal and Weather Related Operations

VDOT NOVA uses information from weather information providers (the weather service and surface transportation weather service providers) and from RWIS stations to provide current and forecast weather information that can be fused with other data sources and used to support advanced decision support systems that increase the efficiency and effectiveness of winter maintenance operations (for example snow removal). The continuing updates of road condition information and current temperatures are used by VDOT NOVA system operators to more effectively deploy road maintenance resources, issue general traveler advisories, issue location specific warnings to drivers using the Traffic Information Dissemination market package, and aid operators in scheduling work activity. Efforts are also underway to enhance automated treatment systems such as treatments for fog dispersion, anti-icing chemicals, etc. When the environmental sensors detect adverse conditions, the automated treatment system will be activated and drivers will be notified of the system activation through dynamic message signs.

Service Packages

• WX01: Weather Data Collection
• WX02: Weather Information Processing and Distribution
• MC03: Roadway Automated Treatment
• MC04: Winter Maintenance

Stakeholders

• VDOT Northern District Operations

Roles and Responsibilities

• Collect Weather information from various sources (subscription weather services, national weather service, FEMA etc)
• Coordinate with NOVA Local Emergency Responders for incident clearance and snow removal activities
• Disseminate weather information to travelers, and media through 511, HAR as well the internet
• Perform Snow-removal operations on interstate and surface streets in the NOVA region.
• Track Maintenance Vehicle Fleet Location and resource usage. (including AVL implementation)
• Use weather information for operations decisions such as road closures, maintenance strategies, resource mobilization