Vaisala to Launch Road Weather Decision Support System Technologies
Louisville, CO, July 9, 2009 - Vaisala is investing in the next innovation of the Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS) and expanding its portfolio in the surface transportation market by adding Road Weather Decision Support Systems (RWDSS). With over 70 years of global vision and experience spanning multiple transportation sectors, Vaisala is positioned to provide unmatched technologies and solutions that will culminate in a comprehensive, yet intuitive MDSS capable of meeting the needs of the global winter maintenance community.
Vaisala is leveraging the Federal Prototype MDSS, which was developed with support from the United States Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Road Weather Management Program. This application comprises key components and concepts that will serve as building blocks for Vaisala's larger-scale MDSS development effort. FHWA chose the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) to lead the prototype development effort with support from other national labs, NOAA, and universities to address the significant science and technology needs. "NCAR is pleased that Vaisala has chosen to move ahead with the MDSS system as Vaisala has a solid track record of providing road weather services to the winter maintenance community" stated William Mahoney, Director of the Weather Systems & Assessment Program, NCAR.
Historically, Vaisala has long been known for high-quality Road Weather Information System (RWIS) Environmental Sensor Stations (ESS), accurate road weather analyses and forecasts, and winter maintenance decision planning support services. Key road technologies currently offered by Vaisala include Guardian, IceBreak, Thermal Mapping, IceMan, and route optimization. Vaisala's decision support system will enable winter maintenance practitioners to make consistently better decisions regarding how to plan for and respond to adverse road weather conditions during the winter season, leading to reductions in operational costs and improvements in roadway level of service. Vaisala will begin offering RWDSS in fall 2009.
Vaisala transportation expertise Vaisala provides a comprehensive range of applications for surface transportation personnel to deal with adverse weather events. Vaisala branded offerings include Guardian, Fog Warning System, Ice and Snow Warning System, Rail Weather, Rain Warning System, and Wind Warning Systems.
Media contacts:
Kevin Petty,
Product Manager,
Surface Transportation
Tel. +1 303 262 4039,
kevin.petty@vaisala.com
Theresa M. Fischer,
NA Corporate Communication Manager
Tel. +1 520 806 7361,
theresa.fischer@vaisala.com
