Putting Together a RFP that includes MDSS Functionality

Putting Together a RFP that includes MDSS Functionality National Center for Atmospheric Research Boulder, CO October 20, 2005 Andy Stern Consulting Meteorologist Mitretek Systems 1

So, you want MDSS? 2

Objective • There are many new and innovative techniques, visualizations & innovations by both the research & services community available each season • The state of the art in weather and road maintenance keeps moving forward • Don’t just settle for a typical package of winter maintenance support – PUSH THE ENVELOP to your advantage! 3

Determination of Need • Some questions to ask as you begin: – Do you know your region’s climate? • Micro-climatology • Influences by terrain or water • Special challenges (e. g. , permafrost, lake effect) • What is your risk temperament? – Mobility Policy / Chemical Policy • Are you proactive (anti-icing vs. reactionary) 4

Factors to Consider • Is your staff open to learning new methods? • Does your staff work well with computers? • Do you have access to wideband internet? • Is your staff open to training? • Will your staff participate in both customizing & validating a MDSS system? 5

Shopping for Forecast Elements • Sifting through what is available versus what you need for operations • Avoid data overload • Typical elements that are available – – – Air Temperature Dew Point Temperature Relative Humidity Wind Direction/Speed/Gustiness Sky Condition 6

More Forecast Elements - Precip • • Probability of Precipitation Type (deterministic) Precipitation Type (conditional) Precipitation Accumulation Liquid Equivalent Accumulation Precipitation Rate/Intensity Probability of Reaching Threshold Amounts 7

More Forecast Elements-Surface • • • Road Surface Temperature Bridge Temperature Probability of Road Frost Probability of Bridge Frost Blowing Snow Potential Road Temperature Crossing Thresholds – forecast of road temp falling below 35 F – forecast of road temp at onset of precip 8

More Elements - Miscellaneous • Visibility – due to fog, smoke, haze, dust – due to falling precipitation – due to blowing precip that has already been deposited • Solar Insolation (short/long wave, total) • Evaporation Rate • Confidence Levels in particular & important elements 9

Forecast Preparation Frequency • • • Hourly forecasts (for how long? ) 6 hourly forecasts (for how long? ) Next day forecasts 3 -5 day forecasts Static forecast preparation times – 3 pm for planning overnight & next morning – 3 day forecast on Fridays – 3 day forecast over holidays 10

Forecast Formats & Delivery • • Tabular versus Graphical Beeper Text Message Internet Toll Free Phone Lines PDA XML Satellite Delivery 11

MDSS Functionality (1) • Visualization tool for combining complex data sets and presenting an easy to use and understand maintenance guidance and weather information • Displays hourly forecast information (18 -24 hours) • Calculated road conditions • Suggested maintenance actions • Fully customizable for routes & maintenance policies 12

MDSS Functionality (2) • What-If scenarios – allows for recalculation of treatment strategies by manual entry of treatment parameters • Blowing Snow Advisories • Road/Bridge Frost Advisories • Snow Drift Forecasts • Forecast Archiving • Accepting data directly from GPS/AVL 13

Professional Team • Don’t be afraid of meteorologists. We are geeks – and are generally harmless • Insist on a team with meteorologists that are both degreed and have experience in surface transportation forecasting • Real forecasters are not afraid of verification (but they tend to have gray hair) • Make sure that they can communicate effectively (reduce the techno-garble) 14

Resources • www. rap. ucar. edu/projects/rdwx_mdss/ documents/index. html • “Road Weather Forecasting and Observations: Assessment of Current Capabilities and Future Trends” • “MDSS Functional Specification Template and Procurement Guidance” • Contact Paul. Pisano@fhwa. dot. gov for additional information 15