Rios-Gutiérrez, FernandoHasan, Mohammed A2024-04-192024-04-192004https://hdl.handle.net/11299/262432Weather 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.enNorthland Advanced Transportation Systems Research LaboratoriesUniversity of Minnesota DuluthReport