SNOWRLOW RELATIVE PRIORITY PREEMPTION PROJECT & STUDY

摘要

This study is significant in that it does show the effectiveness of the RPP technology for snowplows for a local road agency. But the benefits of RPP go beyond the improved efficiencies presented in this document. There are many safety benefits and operational benefits that are difficult to calculate. Keeping snowplows in a platoon allows each snowplow to traverse through intersections keeping other vehicles out of the snowplow group. The snowplow platoon also reduces the problems of unplowed snow windrows in the middle of intersections that cross traffic may have difficulty traversing. Also, heavy snows can cause stopped snowplows to stall at a signalized intersection requiring them to back up (not a safe maneuver) to get moving again. Reduced snow plowing times also clears the road for emergency vehicles when they are critically needed.