01371227

Component

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/167060.aspx

http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/167060.aspx

Ontario highways are exposed to a variety of severe winter conditions that can lead to significant road hazards resulting in economic loss and impact to society from the loss of life. According to provincial transportation records, collisions resulting from snow and drifting snow conditions were the second largest cause of fatalities, personal injury, and property damage in Ontario. Over the past few years the Ontario Ministry of Transportation has elevated the importance of incorporating winter study components into a range of transportation projects. These studies pertained to projects involving new highway extensions, redesign of highway sections, winter transportation studies resulting from severe collisions, and highway bypass routes. The studies included snowdrift severity, identification of microclimate zones, impacts of lake-effect snow, equilibrium drift analysis at highway cross sections and mitigation assessment (i.e., snow fences, hedges, and ditches). The analysis conducted in these projects utilized the latest technology and information from satellite imagery, geographic information system tools, regional reanalysis data, roadway weather information system data, and weather radar composites. Through these studies new knowledge and tools have emerged, including a new numerical snow transport model that has been developed to enhance the mitigation of winter hazard conditions. The outcome has led to improved placement of snow fences, alterations to highway cross sections, landscape modifications, changes to the placement of highway guiderails, and an understanding of the impacts of winter weather. This paper presents an insight into Ontario’s recent studies focused on the better understanding and control of snowdrift events through new modeling techniques, field observations, and climate analysis.

01371195

WM-STW12-121

English

pp 279-291

2012-4

Transportation Research Circular

International Conference on Winter Maintenance and Surface Transportation Weather

Web

Figures; Photos; References

Computer models; Geographic information systems; Highway design; Road weather information systems; Snow fences; Snowdrifts; Weather and climate; Weather radar; Winter; Winter maintenance

Satellite imagery

Ontario (Province)

Design; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I20: Design and Planning of Transport Infrastructure; I62: Winter Maintenance

TRIS, TRB

May 17 2012 1:29PM