Survey and Evaluation of Ice/Snow Detection Technologies
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Survey and Evaluation of Ice/Snow Detection Technologies
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2004
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Abstract
Weather is a principal factor that contributes to traffic accidents. Thus Road and Weather
Information Systems (RWIS) has been deployed by MNDOT to proactively detect
adverse weather and road conditions so as to provide motorists with advanced warning of
hazardous conditions. Ice on the roadway is one of the leading contributors to winter
weather accidents. There are many ice detection technologies, however it is not clear
whether these sensors are accurate for detection of ice on the roadway surface. The
development of a reliable ice detection sensor would provide MNDOT engineers and
maintenance personnel the tools they need to warn drivers of potentially hazardous road
conditions due to ice formation on the road surface and mobilize MNDOT's maintenance
fleet with anti-icing treatments to the road surface.
The usefulness of any weather sensor is determined by the accuracy of the parameter(s) it
sensed. An accurate ice detection sensor could provide the tools necessary for engineers
to make informed decisions on proper use and sensor specifications. Weather sensors
accuracy is affected by temperature, light availability, visibility, pavement’s conditions
and wind. Often, many vendors do not provide detailed information regarding sensor
specifications and proper application. In this research, a thorough evaluation of the
Infrared Road Ice Detection System IRID is being conducted. IRID, which is an active IR
remote ice sensor, offers distinct advantages over embedded road sensors. It has lower
installation costs, lower cost of ownership, improved safety, and gives better results.
The objective of this research has been to investigate the IRID sensor in terms of
accuracy and sensitivity to distance and different deicing materials. Different
measurements have been collected in different weather conditions, and on concrete and
asphalt pavements. Data analysis indicates that this sensor is sensitive to weather
conditions and the presence of two contaminants salt brine (NaCl) and Magic
(Magnesium Chloride). Thus the ultimate goal after a successful evaluation is to mount
this sensor on a bridge on a busy highway and use it to monitor the weather conditions
remotely. In addition to the infrared ice sensor, the IRID comes with a camera that can
be used to show pictures of different locations near the pavement using pan/tilt capability.
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Rios-Gutiérrez, Fernando; Hasan, Mohammed A. (2004). Survey and Evaluation of Ice/Snow Detection Technologies. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/262432.
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