Title: ITS System to Reduce High Wind Truck Crashes on I-25 near Bordeaux, WY
Principal Investigator's Name(s): Dr. Rhonda Young, P.E.
Project Sponsor: Wyoming Department of Transportation
Project Timeline: Completion July 2010
Background: The state of Wyoming experiences frequent severe wind conditions, particularly in the southern and eastern portions of the state along Interstates 80 and 25. These facilities carry important long-distance freight traffic with average daily traffic volumes in 2003 of 11,380 and 5,700 on I-80 and I-25, respectively and truck percentages of 55 and 20 respectively. Closure of these facilities, for any reason, results in large delays and significant economic impacts. Because of these losses, the pressure is intense to keep the roadways open.
During the winter months, Wyoming often experiences wind speeds that are greater than
40 mph. Between the years 1994 and 2001, the Bordeaux weather station near Wheatland,
Wyoming had maximum speeds above 40 mph (35 Knots) for 7 percent of the time from
November to mid February.
The high wind conditions can cause trucks to overturn or slide off the roadway and
often cause the closure of the road, resulting in large delays, economic impacts,
and a loss of system reliability. This research examines how critical weather conditions
can be identified, what the various levels of vehicle operations could be depending
on these conditions, and the means for identifying at-risk vehicles. This research
also looks at the development of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) applications
for minimizing the impacts to motorists while maximizing safety of roadways under
high wind conditions.
Phase 2
Communication with Stakeholders
Phase 3
Long Term