LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Highway and Transportation Department relies on the National Weather Service for forecast information.
But taking a recommendation from our neighbors to the north, they also signed up for a service that provides more of an engineering point of view on forecasting.
Depending on who you ask, you’re going to get a variety of opinions on the roads.
This snow season the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department tried something different.
“We put a lot of those in a play book if you will.” Danny Straessle says AHTD is using a private forecasting service to get a more detailed description on conditions.
“Last night they were making projections on when temps are going to drop, then it’s time to get your trucks rolling,” says Straessle.
The forecasting service called Iteris can even predict temperatures on bridge decks and recommend the best time to lay salt or bring out the plows.
Missouri and other states across the country use a similar service.
“A great idea hey whatever works and helps traffic flow during the winter time and whatever works,” says driver Mitchel Norman.
But it does come with a price tag, $5,000 a month. AHTD signed a six month agreement on a trial basis.
“The results have been great. Each of the districts get a custom forecast right down to the county level,” says Straessle.
The contract with the forecasting service expires the end of this month. The folks at AHTD will review the service and make a decision later this year on whether or not to continue using it.
But taking a recommendation from our neighbors to the north, they also signed up for a service that provides more of an engineering point of view on forecasting.
Depending on who you ask, you’re going to get a variety of opinions on the roads.
This snow season the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department tried something different.
“We put a lot of those in a play book if you will.” Danny Straessle says AHTD is using a private forecasting service to get a more detailed description on conditions.
“Last night they were making projections on when temps are going to drop, then it’s time to get your trucks rolling,” says Straessle.
The forecasting service called Iteris can even predict temperatures on bridge decks and recommend the best time to lay salt or bring out the plows.
Missouri and other states across the country use a similar service.
“A great idea hey whatever works and helps traffic flow during the winter time and whatever works,” says driver Mitchel Norman.
But it does come with a price tag, $5,000 a month. AHTD signed a six month agreement on a trial basis.
“The results have been great. Each of the districts get a custom forecast right down to the county level,” says Straessle.
The contract with the forecasting service expires the end of this month. The folks at AHTD will review the service and make a decision later this year on whether or not to continue using it.