BUSINESS CASE ANALYSIS OF BENEFITS AND COSTS FOR AN INTEGRATED ROAD WEATHER SYSTEM FOR CANADA

Recognizing that road weather information is an essential element of state of the art winter highway storm management, a Road Weather Information System Working Group (RWIS-WG) consisting of representatives from each province and territory, the Insurance Bureau of BC, Environment Canada and Transport Canada was established in 2000. The purpose of the group was to develop a proposal for a national road weather information system for Canada. The proposal, discussed in this paper, outlined the framework for an open integrated national road weather system. Also discussed is participation, specifications and standards and description of the construction of a backbone road weather system infrastructure to serve the national highway system. Included is a business case analysis that demonstrates both the positive economic benefits and the financial affordability of building and operating this national integrated road system. The business case includes a risk analysis that verifies that the benefits would accrue through a range of discount rates and service factors.