**COMMITTEE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL**

**SERVICES, OPERATIONS, AND RESEARCH NEEDS (CESORN)**

[WORKING GROUP FOR WEATHER INFORMATION FOR SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
(WG/WIST)]{.underline}

[WG/WIST MEMORANDUM 05-06]{.underline} December 27, 2005

MEMORANDUM FOR: WG/WIST Members

FROM: Frank L. Estis

Executive Secretary

## SUBJECT: Draft Record of Actions for WG/WIST Meeting 05-06

I have prepared for your review the attached draft Record of Actions for
the WG/WIST Meeting 05-06 held on December 1, 2005. If you have any
changes or additions, please call or send them to me as soon as
possible. My telephone number is (301) 427-2056, ext 27 and my e-mail
address is frank.estis@noaa.gov.

Attachment

[WG/WIST MEMBERS]{.underline}

DHS - Dr. Jonathan Berkson, DHS/USCG

\- Mr. John Gambel, DHS/FEMA

DOC - Mr. Mike Campbell, NOAA/NWS, Co-Chairperson

\- Mr. Charlie Challstrom, NOAA/NOS

DOD - Col Mark Weadon, US Air Force

\- Mr. Terry Tielking, US Navy

DOE - Ms. Ella McNeil, DOE/EM-11

DOI - Vacant

DOT - Mr. Paul Pisano, DOT/FHWA, Co-Chairperson

-   Dr. Magdy El-Sibaie, DOT/FRA

-   Mr. Chris Flanigan, DOT/FMCSA

-   Ms. Charlene Wilder, DOT/FTA

-   Mr. Donald Carver, DOT/FAA

EPA - Mr. Robert Gilliam, EPA

NASA - Dr. Martin Frederick, NASA

\- Dr. William D. Graham, NASA

NSF - Ms. Pamela Stephens, NSF/ATM

NTSB - Mr. Donald Eick, NTSB/AS-30

OMB - Vacant

USDA - Mr. Bradley Rippey, USDA/OCE

cc:

WG/WIST Mailing List

OFCM Staff

**COMMITTEE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL**

**SERVICES, OPERATIONS, AND RESEARCH NEEDS (CESORN)**

[WORKING GROUP FOR WEATHER INFORMATION FOR SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
(WG/WIST)]{.underline}

#### Record of Actions Meeting 05-06

#### December 1, 2005

#### Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology

#### Large Conference Room

# [MEMBERS PRESENT]{.underline}

> DHS -
>
> DOC - Mr. Mike Campbell, NOAA/NWS, Co-Chairperson

### DOD - 

DOE -

DOI -

DOT - Mr. Paul Pisano, DOT/FHWA, Co-Chairperson

> \- Mr. Michael Rossetti, DOT/Volpe Center (phone)

-   Mr. Chris Flanigan, DOT/FMCSA

-   Ms. Charlene Wilder, DOT/FTA (phone)

-   Mr. Donald Carver, DOT/FAA

> EPA - Mr. Robert Gilliam, Atmospheric Modeling Div. (phone)
>
> NASA - Mr. Lucien Cox, NASA Applied Sciences (phone)
>
> NSF -
>
> NTSB -
>
> OMB -
>
> USDA -

#### Mr. Frank Estis, Executive Secretary

## 

## 

## [INVITED PARTICIPANTS]{.underline}

DHS -

DOC: - Dr. Jim O'Sullivan, NOAA/NWS/OST

DOD: -

DOE: -

DOI: -

DOT: - Ms. Lynette Goodwin, DOT/FHWA (Mitretek Systems)

\- Mr. Art Handman, GHTD (phone)

EPA -

> NASA: -

NSF: -

NTSB -

OMB -

USDA -

**1. [OPENING REMARKS]{.underline}**

The Co-chairs called the meeting to order. The Executive Secretary
reviewed administrative information for the meeting, and then all
attendees at the meeting introduced themselves. The chairpersons made
the following opening remarks, and then approved the meeting agenda.

Paul Pisano remarks:

-   Indicated that Frank Estis provided a WG/WIST activities update
    briefing to the ICMSSR on November 18, 2005. Frank quickly
    summarized that he presented information to the ICMSSR covering the
    WIST Initiative Paper contents and the on going activities of the
    WG/WIST to gather information on sector weather impact data, each
    sectors initial top five R&D needs, and development of the R&D Plan.
    That briefing is available on the WG/WIST web site at
    <http://www.ofcm.gov/wg-wist/wg-wist-index.htm>.

-   Frank stated he hadn't briefed the ICMSSR on the idea to not
    complete the NOAA-FHWA Partnering Plan as tasked by the ICMSSR,
    since the NOAA and FHWA WG/WIST members believe that document has
    been overcome by events (e.g., WG/WIST activities, NOAA-FHWA MOU
    signing, the WIST Initiative paper, Clarus, NSWOS). **ACTION: The
    co-chairs asked the Executive Secretary to compose an email to all
    the WG/WIST members asking them to approve or disapprove the idea to
    close the NOAA-FHWA Partnering Plan action. If approved, the
    Executive Secretary will compose an email for the WG/WIST Co-chairs
    to send to the ICMSSR Chairman asking approval to close the action
    item.**

Mike Campbell remarks:

-   Since the last WG/WIST meeting there has been another successful
    Clarus ICC meeting in Salt Lake City, UT in mid-November.

2\. [**RECORD OF ACTIONS**]{.underline}

> The WG/WIST Meeting 05-05 Record of Actions (ROA) were discussed and
> approved as written, and will be posted to the WG/WIST web site.

3\. [**MEETING DISCUSSION TOPICS:**]{.underline}

> A. DETERMINE THE FEDERAL R&D PRIORITIES FOR THE WIST R&D PLAN (Action
> Item 2005-1.3).
>
> The WG previously decided to use fatalities, injuries, and property
> damage figures as a way to help prioritize needs...this would also be
> consistent with the WG's goals. All surface transportation modes were
> asked to provide these figures and the group would then consolidate
> and finalize them before beginning work to align surface
> transportation R&D priorities. WG/WIST reviewed the inputs received so
> far and discussed the next steps needed to complete this action.
>
> Discussion:

-   How will we align our weather impact data? Based on the inputs,
    which weather impact is number 1, 2, 3, etc. across all sectors?
    Liquid precip and frozen precip seem to be number 1 and 2, without
    using any kind of ranking scheme.

-   Why is the marine sector the only one that mentions ice as a problem
    area? How are they thinking of ice differently than the other
    sectors, or are they? Is it sea ice or ice forming on superstructure
    during a freezing rain event? Need to get clarification.

-   What about extreme heat and cold? Doesn't railway have problems with
    that? The data presented by railway didn't have a category for this
    weather impact in their on-line data base. During the initial WIST
    Report data collection effort, there was a need for extreme
    temperature data expressed by railway. Need to get clarification.

-   May need to adjust the frozen precipitation category on our impact
    sheets to say "frozen/freezing precipitation" instead of just frozen
    precipitation. Also, where have people placed ice that forms from
    melting and then refreezing at night.

-   The FAA WG/WIST member reported he hoped to have the FAA airport
    ground operations weather impacts input in soon.

> **ACTION: Exec Sec will take all the questions raised above and go out
> to all the sectors point of contact and ask for any clarification
> needed to make sure the weather impact data provided is being
> interpreted correctly.**
>
> B. USING PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED R&D NEEDS LISTS AND REPORTS AS A GUIDE;
> DETERMINE A PRELIMINARY STRUCTURE FOR THE WG/WIST R&D PLAN TO CLEARLY
> EXPRESS THE R&D PRIORITIES OF THE WIST COMMUNITY (Action Item
> 2005-1.3).
>
> A matrix was designed based on feedback. Additionally, a master WIST
> R&D needs listing compiled from various source documents was developed
> by the WG/WIST Exec Secretary. Each WG member was asked to provide the
> Executive Secretary their top 5 items for each row of the matrix by
> November 21, 2005, so they could be consolidated for discussion at
> this meeting. Inputs were received from roadways and transit before
> the meeting.
>
> Discussion:

-   It was suggested that the WG should check and add needs from the
    *Transportation Weather Research and Development Needs to Support
    ITS* report*,* version 1.1, dated November 5, 2005, prepared by NCAR
    for the Weather Information & Applications Special Interest Group
    (WIA-SIG). The Executive Secretary will send a copy to all WG/WIST
    members for review.

-   As roadway personnel reviewed and compiled their top 5 R&D needs
    they found they naturally grouped Weather Information Dissemination
    items and Decision Support Systems items together for the matrix.
    They wondered if other members had found the same tendency during
    their review. After group discussion, it was decide to leave the two
    separate entries on the matrix for now.

-   Need more inputs from other sectors before proceeding to populate
    the matrix.

-   Some members expressed concerns about how far into meteorological
    needs they should go since they are not meteorologists. The group
    expressed the thought that members should express their needs in
    terms of data required, timing required, graphics needed, etc.,
    which may drive new or improved meteorological models, products or
    services.

-   Discussion of probabilistic forecasts took place, with some doubt
    expressed about the ability of the surface transportation community
    to use them. It was suggested that a prototype system and products
    should be developed and used in an operational demonstration test to
    see how the data could be integrated and used. In some cases the
    user doesn't know really know what they need. But, trucking
    companies are fairly willing to spend money on things that may save
    them money in the future.

-   Paul Pisano offered to work with Chris Flanigan offline to look at
    ways to express trucker R&D needs in a way to help move toward
    improved meteorological models, products and services to meet
    trucker operational weather needs.

    -   One need further discussed was for the need to get highway
        observations or forecast data to truckers in real-time so they
        can take action to avoid dangerous situations, e.g., high wind
        events.

    -   In some cases there is already so much information out there
        that we can overload users to the point that they get turned off
        using the data. We need to work on improving the presentation of
        decisional information to users.

> **ACTION: Executive Secretary will populate the matrix with the inputs
> received so far and send the updated matrix back out to the WG members
> to review and use as they develop their inputs.**
>
> **\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--**
>
> **[TRB Annual Meeting Sidebar discussion:]{.underline}**
>
> At the TRB Annual Meeting in January 2006, there will be a special
> weather-related spotlight session hosted by the TRB Surface
> Transportation Weather Task Force. A search of the web site found this
> listing of speakers:
>
> **Session 494**\
> **Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 1:30 PM - 3:15 PM, Marriott**\
> **SAFETEA-LU Road Weather Research and Development Program**\
> Wilfrid A. Nixon, University of Iowa, presiding\
> *Sponsored by:\
> Surface Transportation Weather Task Force (AH010T)*
>
> **National Research Council Recommendations for Road Weather Research
> and Development (P06-1064)**\
> John T. Snow, University of Oklahoma
>
> **From Better Observing Systems to Improved Weather Models and
> Forecasts (P06-1065)**\
> Steven R. Barnum, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
>
> **Integrating Surface Transportation Weather Information Systems - The
> DOT Role (P06-1063)**\
> Jeffrey F. Paniati, Federal Highway Administration
>
> **State\'s Role in Implementing Effective Surface Transportation
> Weather Information Network (P06-1066)**\
> Anthony R. Kane, American Association of State Highway and
> Transportation Officials
>
> Additionally, a search of the TRB site on December 13^th^ using the
> word "weather" found these other sessions scheduled with at least one
> weather-related presentation taking place also.

  ------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- --------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- --
  **104**      [Investigation of Enhanced Integrated Climatic Model Issues Related to        M   Sunday, 8:30          ![](media/image1.png){width="0.5625in"               
               Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design                                             AM--12:00 PM          height="0.17708333333333334in"}                      
               Guide](http://www.trb.org/AM/IP/assembly_detail.asp?id=5541&e=68)                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                                            

  **239**      [Safety Data Analysis and Evaluation (Poster                                  M   Monday, 9:30          ![](media/image1.png){width="0.5625in"               
               Session)](http://www.trb.org/AM/IP/assembly_detail.asp?id=6660&e=68)              AM--12:00 PM          height="0.17708333333333334in"}                      

                                                                                                                                                                            

  **318**      [Freeway Operations 2006 (Poster                                              M   Monday, 2:30 PM--5:00 ![](media/image1.png){width="0.5625in"               
               Session)](http://www.trb.org/AM/IP/assembly_detail.asp?id=6322&e=68)              PM                    height="0.17708333333333334in"}                      

                                                                                                                                                                            

  **319**      [Freeway Ramp Metering (Poster                                                M   Monday, 2:30 PM--5:00 ![](media/image1.png){width="0.5625in"               
               Session)](http://www.trb.org/AM/IP/assembly_detail.asp?id=6321&e=68)              PM                    height="0.17708333333333334in"}                      

                                                                                                                                                                            

  **378**      [Regional Transportation Systems                                              M   Monday, 7:30 PM--9:30 ![](media/image1.png){width="0.5625in"               
               Management](http://www.trb.org/AM/IP/assembly_detail.asp?id=6391&e=68)            PM                    height="0.17708333333333334in"}                      

                                                                                                                                                                            

  **AH010T**   [Surface Transportation Weather Task Force: Full Task Force                   M   Monday, 7:30 PM--9:30 ![](media/image1.png){width="0.5625in"               
               (AH010T)](http://www.trb.org/AM/IP/assembly_detail.asp?id=6088&e=68)              PM                    height="0.17708333333333334in"}                      

                                                                                                                                                                            

  **419**      [Pavement Surface Friction and Texture                                        S   Tuesday, 8:00         ![](media/image1.png){width="0.5625in"               
               Characteristics](http://www.trb.org/AM/IP/assembly_detail.asp?id=5826&e=68)       AM--9:45 AM           height="0.17708333333333334in"}                      

                                                                                                                                                                            

  **410**      [Surface Transportation Weather: Impacts on Winter Driving and                M   Tuesday, 8:00         ![](media/image1.png){width="0.5625in"               
               Safety](http://www.trb.org/AM/IP/assembly_detail.asp?id=6378&e=68)                AM--9:45 AM           height="0.17708333333333334in"}                      

                                                                                                                                                                            

  **459**      [Surface Transportation Weather: Analysis and                                 M   Tuesday, 10:15        ![](media/image1.png){width="0.5625in"               
               Forecasting](http://www.trb.org/AM/IP/assembly_detail.asp?id=6379&e=68)           AM--12:00 PM          height="0.17708333333333334in"}                      

                                                                                                                                                                            

  **494**      [SAFETEA-LU Road Weather Research and Development                             M   Tuesday, 1:30         ![](media/image1.png){width="0.5625in"               
               Program](http://www.trb.org/AM/IP/assembly_detail.asp?id=6454&e=68)               PM--3:15 PM           height="0.17708333333333334in"}                      

                                                                                                                                                                            

  **518**      [Design Topics for Traffic Signal Systems (Poster                             M   Tuesday, 2:30         ![](media/image1.png){width="0.5625in"               
               Session)](http://www.trb.org/AM/IP/assembly_detail.asp?id=6417&e=68)              PM--5:00 PM           height="0.17708333333333334in"}                      

                                                                                                                                                                            

  **657**      [Safety and Environmental Aspects of Winter                                   M   Wednesday, 10:15      ![](media/image1.png){width="0.5638888888888889in"   
               Maintenance](http://www.trb.org/AM/IP/assembly_detail.asp?id=6077&e=68)           AM--12:00 PM          height="0.1763888888888889in"}                       

                                                                                                                                                                            
  ------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- --------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- --

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

> C. AGENCY INPUTS, FOLLOW UP ON *WIST INITIATIVE PAPER* EFFORTS, AND
> NEW ITEMS.
>
> Agency representatives had the opportunity to update the committee on
> the status of agency surface weather activities, programs and budgets,
> needs, requirements, etc.
>
> FHWA: 1. Clarus held its third ICC meeting in Salt Lake City, UT.
> Primary purpose of the meeting was to review the preliminary system
> design. A concept demonstration system will be tested next spring. The
> program is actively looking for partners and a location for the
> concept demonstration next spring.
>
> 2\. FHWA is also sponsoring an effort to collect weather data from a
> test vehicle to begin to look at weather data that will be collected
> under the ITS VII Initiative.
>
> 3\. MDSS deployment activities continue, with private companies
> beginning to show the systems they have developed using the MDSS
> software. The next step is to look at other ways to use the software
> to support other roadway decision makers (e.g., traffic managers).
>
> 4\. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity
> Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) road weather R&D funding (\$5M a
> year) made it through out being earmarked, but it will take about a
> 15% cut due to other funding shortfalls in all of DOT. The FHWA Road
> Weather Management Program has drafted a plan on how to use the
> funding, but it is still in development.
>
> 5\. FHWA has funded UCAR (COMET) to develop a training module on CD to
> help surface transportation weather information users to understand
> what NWS products and services are available. Effort is based on work
> already completed in Indiana.
>
> NWS: 1. NWS moving forward to operationalize the MADIS system
> developed at FSL in Boulder. The system will be rehosted to the NWSTG,
> so it can be used 24/7. It will also be expanded to accept additional
> data.
>
> EPA: 1. No direct surface transportation applications except for air
> quality forecasts that could be used to forecast visibilities.
>
> 2\. Some EPA air quality sensors do have weather sensors also, but
> maintenance is questionable and some data is not reported in real
> time.
>
> 3\. FTA is involved in two environmental assessment studies, they are
> Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Transportation Systems
> and Infrastructure \-- Gulf Coast Study, and Desert Air Quality
> Comprehensive Analysis.
>
> Volpe: 1. Writing paper on non-traditional uses of weather information
> by the transportation industry.

D. DISCUSS HOLDING A SERIES OF WIST-RELATED MINI-WORKSHOPS IN EARLY 2006

> WG discussed having several focused WIST-related mini-workshops in
> early 2006, to develop a detailed listing of on going WIST-related
> activities in the areas of Observations; Modeling, Forecasts,
> Warnings, Advisories, and Verification; Weather Information
> Dissemination; Decision Support Systems; Education, Outreach, and
> Awareness; Data Management; and Performance Measures and
> Weather-Related Crash Reporting. The object would be to gather
> information on WIST-related R&D activities already underway that
> support the WIST Initiative Paper recommendations and is linked to the
> goals of reducing weather-related surface transportation deaths,
> injuries, and property damage; improving management of weather-related
> delays and operating costs; and mitigating adverse impacts of surface
> transportation operations on the environment. Additionally, we would
> hope to draw out any unknown WIST-related requirements from the
> workshop attendees. Possible mini-workshop topic areas might be:

-   University Transportation Centers (UTC) and University Research
    Institutes (URI), UCAR, NCAR, USWRP, NSF, AMS, NAS, and other
    universities.

-   Private companies...weather providers and users (truckers, marine,
    rail)

-   Public agencies...FAA, Volpe, Turner-Fairbanks, WFOs, NCEP, AFWA,
    DOE Labs (e.g., Oak Ridge, Argonne, Brookhaven)

-   Automobile manufactures

-   State ITS-related testbeds, pooled fund study, Aurora Program,
    ear-marked projects

-   Environmental and Climate...EPA, U.S. Climate Change Science
    Program,

Discussion:

-   Chris Flanigan indicated he attended a UTC meeting where he learned
    several UTC were starting to define or redefine the focus of their
    work and we may have an opportunity to influence the projects they
    decide to work on.

-   WG would give workshop invitees an update on what the WG is doing
    and what we hope to accomplish, as well as find out what they are
    doing.

-   It was suggested we explore doing a webcast to help expand how many
    invitees we might get to take part in the workshops.

-   This collection idea is very similar to what has been done in the
    aviation weather R&D area.

-   FTA reported they also have university programs that are looking at
    weather under the UTC.

-   We need to develop a story to take to NSF to see if we can get them
    to ear-mark some funds to work surface transportation weather
    information needs.

**[ACTION]{.underline}: Exec Sec will send out a suggested list of
workshops, listing potential invitees, focus of the workshop, etc.**

4\. **[REVIEW OF ACTION ITEMS]{.underline}**

[ACTION ITEM 2005-1.3]{.underline}: The Executive Secretary will provide
a synthesized R&D needs list so that WG members could review them and
begin to determine the R&D needs that would the focus of the WIST R&D
Plan and start to build a structure for the R&D Plan to clearly express
the priorities of the WIST community.

**July 11^th^ update**: The WG/WIST made minor edits to the R&D Needs
matrix and the group then decided to accept the matrix as its first
structure for arranging the WIST R&D Needs. Additionally, a first draft
of the master R&D Needs listing was handed out for review.

**September 15^th^ update**:

Part A - Certain WG members provide their sectors' fatalities, injuries,
and property damage figures so they can be consolidated and finalized
before beginning work to align surface transportation R&D priorities
based on these figures.

Part B - Each WG member will provide the Executive Secretary their top 5
items for each row of the matrix by November 21, 2005, so they can be
consolidated for the November 30^th^ meeting.

Part C - Each WG member will provide the Executive Secretary any
additional WIST reference sources by the next meeting.

**December 1^st^ update**: Additional actions were generated and are
2005-5.2, 2005-5.3, and 2005-5.4.

**STATUS: OPEN**

[ACTION ITEM 2005-5.1]{.underline}: The co-chairs asked the Executive
Secretary to compose an email to all the WG/WIST members asking them to
approve or disapprove of the idea to close the NOAA-FHWA Partnering Plan
action item as tasked by the ICMSSR, since the task is OBE. If approved,
the Executive Secretary will compose an email for the WG/WIST Co-chairs
to send to the ICMSSR Chairman asking approval to close the action item.

**STATUS: OPEN**

[ACTION ITEM 2005-5.2]{.underline}: The Executive Secretary will send a
copy of the report, *Transportation Weather Research and Development
Needs to Support ITS* report*,* version 1.1, dated November 5, 2005,
prepared by NCAR for the Weather Information & Applications Special
Interest Group (WIA-SIG) to all WG/WIST members for review.

**STATUS: OPEN**

[ACTION ITEM 2005-5.3]{.underline}: The Executive Secretary will
populate the R&D Needs Matrix with the inputs received so far and send
the updated matrix back out to the WG members to review and use as they
develop their inputs.

**STATUS: OPEN**

ACTION ITEM 2005-5.4: The Executive Secretary will take all the
questions raised concerning weather impact data provided by the sectors
and go out to all the sectors point of contact and ask for any
clarification needed to make sure the weather impact data provided is
being interpreted correctly.

**STATUS: OPEN**

[ACTION ITEM 2005-5.4]{.underline}: The Executive Secretary will send
out a suggested list of workshops to be used to gather information about
on going WIST-related R&D, listing potential invitees, focus of the
workshop, etc.

**STATUS: OPEN**

5\. **[NEXT MEETING]{.underline}**

The WG discussed having the next meeting on February 8^th^ or 9th. The
Exec Sec will poll the WG members to see which day is better.