Road Weather Management Performance Metrics

This report presents the results of a study to identify appropriate measures of performance that can be attributed to the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Road Weather Management Program (RWMP) products and activities. Specifically, the study sought to identify performance measures that can be used to assess program success in meeting the goals of SAFETEA-LU Section 5308 pertaining to Road Weather Research and Development Program. Measuring RWMP performance is important because weather impacts transportation safety, mobility, and productivity. The focus of this effort is on identifying meaningful and implementable output and outcome metrics that address the SAFETEA-LU goals through RWMP activities. Both quantitative and qualitative performance metrics associated with program results were identified with the help of numerous stakeholders working in a variety of government and private agencies across the country. A workshop was held initially to define and discuss a potential list of metrics that were then distributed to over 250 practitioners and stakeholders through a request for information. Feedback was solicited regarding which metrics should be kept, further refined, or dropped from further consideration. Some respondents also suggested new measures. The results were analyzed and the metrics were prioritized and narrowed down into a more manageable set of measures for implementation.