Focus Group Results: Weather Users

Facilitator: Gerry Ambroson, Iowa DOT
Date: June 14, 2004

  1. Researching, Developing, and Implementing a Public Communications and Education Plan
  2. Researching and Developing a User-Based Decision-Making Model
  3. Researching, Developing, and Implementing an Integrated Data Collection and Reporting System

Team Members

Gerry Ambroson (Iowa DOT), Karen Piconi (Persuade and Publish International), Willy Sorenson (Iowa DOT), Randy Roethlisberger (Iowa DOT), Mark Wikelius (Minnesota DOT), Mike Adams (Wisconsin DOT), Max Christensen (Iowa Department of Education), Mike Crum (ISU/Logistics), Jim Alviani (Meteorlogix), Julia Wallace (UNI/Psychology), Bob Hart (Meridian)

Initiative #1: Researching, Developing, and Implementing a Public Communications and Education Plan (11 votes)

1. Background and Problem Statement

Much too often the motoring public drives unknowingly into weather situations and traffic conditions that they ultimately do not want to be in or should not be in. Therefore, there is a need to effectively communicate with, motive, and educate the public about weather-related transportation issues so that they can or will choose to stay out of harms way or drive appropriately in less than ideal conditions. In addition, new research is needed to understand the human factors that motivate drivers to appropriately respond to road weather and road condition information and to determine how that information should be most effectively delivered.

2. Research Objectives

The objective of this research is to conduct user-based research to determine what information is needed and how, when, and where this information should be distributed to best ensure driver safety. Research should focus on understanding the human factors that motivate drivers to appropriately respond to road weather and road condition information (insurance discounts for continuing education and accident free driving) and determining how that information should be most effectively delivered (script on bottom of TV, warning message via radio, road and road weather web sites, variable message signs along the roadway, etc.). The possible outcomes of this effort include recommendations for public service announcements, student training materials, insurance discounts/policy requirements, brochures, and web site suggestions/tips.

3. Resource Needs and Time Frame

The research team should include human factors experts, adult learning specialists, a representative from the Iowa Association of Safety Educators, AAA representatives, winter maintenance specialists, driver training specialists, and representatives from the insurance and trucking industries. The project will take approximately two years to complete and cost about $150,000. Funding sources to consider are NCHRP, FHWA, NHTSA, and regional or state DOT pooled funds.

4. Intended Users

Potential users would include state and local government agencies, transit and truck fleet managers, driver education programs, AARP, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, media (television and radio), and insurance companies.

5. Implementation

All transportation agencies in the private and public sector, insurance companies, media, and educators could be potential implementers.

6. Other Outside Parties

Other potential parties have yet to be determined.

Initiative #2: Researching and Developing a User-Based Decision-Making Model (8 votes)

1. Background and Problem Statement

The criterion an individual uses to make trip planning decisions is not well understood. Motorists do not always use good judgment in determining whether to begin, delay, or start earlier on a planned trip when provided current or forecasted weather or traffic conditions. The urge to continue a trip as originally planned and not disrupt those activities too often sends the motorist into harms way. This is often the case even when the trip purpose was not urgent and could have started earlier based on the forecasted event or delayed because of current conditions.

While the reasons individuals use to make trip planning decisions is not well documented, the same holds true in understanding the criteria an individual uses to make driving decisions. As long as traffic is flowing smoothly at high speed at capacity volumes, drivers seem to operate safely, but as soon as any interruption occurs (from a quick lane change, obstacle in the travel way, etc.) panic often sets in and unpredictable driving behavior occurs. Research is needed to determine what transportation policies and procedures are important to communicate that users must understand in order to make informed driving decisions based on their needs, profiles, and costs.

2. Research Objectives

Research should begin by developing individual user criteria for make driving decisions and understanding the how, when, where, and why of the decision process. The process then needs to be modeled into a decision support system which will ultimately develop solutions for the user. These solutions need to be interactive so the user gets an education on the outcomes of each alternative.

3. Resource Needs and Time Frame

A research team should consist of experts knowledgeable in the various sciences of behavior/logic/cognition/performance, adult learning specialists, multimedia specialists, representative from the insurance industry and Iowa Association of Safety Educators, a AAA representative, and an RWIS expert. The project will take about three years and $2 million to fund. Funding sources include NHTSA, NHI, NCHRP, FHWA, state departments of transportation pooled fund sources, and the insurance industry.

4. Intended Users

Potential users include federal, state and local transportation agencies, AASHTO, AAA, enforcement personnel, the motoring public, educators, insurance companies, and road contractors.

5. Implementation

All transportation agencies operating highways, the motoring public, trucking agencies, schools and universities, and the insurance industry could be potential implementers.

6. Other Outside Parties

Other parties have yet to be determined.

Initiative #3: Researching, Developing, and Implementing an Integrated Data Collection and Reporting System (22 votes)

1. Background and Problem Statement

There is great need to develop and implement a national integrated data collection and reporting system for weather, road weather, and road conditions. As part of this system, road weather and weather data need to include both present and forecasted conditions. In addition, universal standards are needed to convey road and weather conditions to end users. Data also needs to be time/date stamped and quality assured.

2. Research Objectives

The objective of this research is to develop, test, and implement an efficient, reliable, consistent, and inexpensive system that delivers accurate and timely data in a format that is easily understood and accessible to the motoring public.

3. Resource Needs and Time Frame

The research team should consist of experts from standard development organizations, communication specialists, RWIS experts, winter maintenance experts, multimedia specialists, automotive manufacturers, FHWA personnel, AASHTO members, AAA representatives, insurance industry representatives, state DOT personnel, and NCAR staff. The project will take about two years to accomplish and require approximately $1 million in funding.

4. Intended Users

Potential users would include federal, state and local governments, FHWA, AASHTO, AAA, NOAA, enforcement personnel, traffic managers, motoring public, educators, insurance companies, and road contractors.

5. Implementation

All transportation agencies operating highways, enforcement personnel, emergency managers, trucking agencies, educators, automotive manufacturers, and insurance industry would be able to participate in the implementation.

6. Other Outside Parties

Other partners have yet to be determined.