Governor Jim Justice, alongside the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT), recently awarded Specialty Groups Inc. a $4.7 million contract to enhance and install Road Weather Information System (RWIS) stations across West Virginia.
These roadside stations gather data on weather and road conditions, which is then sent to the WVDOT’s Traffic Management Center (TMC) in Charleston. This real-time information allows WVDOT to quickly inform drivers about hazardous weather conditions, improving road safety.
Currently, WVDOT manages around 40 RWIS units throughout the state.
“Making sure our weather stations have the most updated technology to provide accurate information is important to everyone traveling in West Virginia,” Gov. Justice said. “Safety is a top priority, and this funding is really going to help us keep our citizens informed about any potential dangers on the roads before they happen. We want everyone traveling in West Virginia to feel secure and prepared.”
The RWIS is part of the WVDOT’s broader Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) initiative. These RWIS stations enable the WVDOT to better manage state roadways and promptly communicate weather-related updates to the public through WV 511 and other channels.
This data allows WVDOT to improve the efficiency of snow and ice removal operations, monitor road and weather conditions that may affect drivers, and create targeted forecasts for specific highway areas.
