Vehicle-based sensor technologies for winter highway operations

Cutting-edge technologies can make maintaining winter roadways more efficient, safer and less costly. Numerous vehicle-based technologies, including automatic vehicle location, surface temperature measuring devices, on-board freezing point and ice-presence detection systems, salinity measuring devices, visual and multi-spectral sensors and millimetre wavelength radar sensors, have been developed in recent years to achieve improvements in winter maintenance efficiency and safety. This study synthesised information obtained from a comprehensive literature review and agency surveys on the state of development and implementation of these advanced technologies. This study also identified the overall trends and barriers regarding the future use of these technologies. The information offered by this study is expected to encourage maintenance agencies to implement better winter maintenance practices with respect to providing safe, reliable winter highways in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.