A “Road Weather” system studies the interactions between meteorological conditions and road infrastructure, and in particular considers all instruments, methods and techniques which are in continuous evolution that are used to predict, prevent and remove ice and snow from the roads. In particular, the management systems, which are used to provide the road maintenance actors with useful and specific information and suggestions in the decision-making process, are known in the literature as Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS). The “RWIS South Tyrolean Initiative” aims at exploring the new potential offered by next-generation RWIS systems, and evaluating it as a function of the alpine context in which South Tyrol is collocated. Innovative solutions that are (i) scalable with respect to the particular application domain, (ii) non-invasive and energy-efficient and (iii) integrated with respect to other traffic and meteorological monitoring systems and technologies, that will also be studied and proposed. The project is not only a R&D initiative coordinated by private company Famas System Inc., but is created with the intention to open a stable, territorial initiative on the topic through (i) a valorization of local competences and resources which have not completely expressed their potential yet, possibly through an improved synergy between local stakeholders, and (ii) the creation of a reference point in South Tyrol for best-practices opportunities at a national and international level.
