Advancing Roadway Safety: How Transportation Partners Synthesize Winter Weather Forecasts into Coordinated Decisions
Journal Article
Overview
abstract
Abstract; Winter weather creates dangerous conditions across the United States, requiring strong collaboration between the NWS and transportation partners. While prior research has examined how the public interprets winter weather products, less is known about how operational decision-makers use weather guidance to inform critical roadway decisions. This study addresses that gap through three semistructured focus groups with 15 transportation professionals that represent Departments of Transportation, public works agencies, and emergency management offices, and private-sector companies who also regularly experience winter weather. Using a phronetic iterative analysis, we first identified challenges and opportunities in communication and collaboration between transportation partners and the NWS. Findings show that unclear role definitions, differing timelines for road and weather impacts, and varied preferences for probabilistic information hinder coordination. At the same time, participants emphasized the value of audio–visual communication and collaborative forums such as the Pathfinder Project for aligning messages and decisions. We then apply systems theory to visualize how transportation partner participants synthesize weather forecasts from the public and private sectors, translate information into risk messaging, and refine decisions through collaborative discussions. These insights provide pathways for strengthening NWS–partner collaboration through the Pathfinder Project and for tailoring communication to the operational needs of transportation agencies.; ; Significance Statement; Winter storms often make roads hazardous, yet forecasts and road impacts do not always align. We asked transportation officials how they synthesize forecasts to keep drivers safe. They told us that unclear roles and complex forecasts can create challenges, but regular calls and programs like the Pathfinder Project help build trust and consistent messaging. We then applied systems theory to illustrate how partners synthesize information to make decisions, offering a path to improve future coordination.;
