Investigation of Road Visibility Conditions using Precipitation Intensity measured by Weather Radar during Winter Seasons

抄録

In Hokkaido, Japan, in winter, poor road visibility occurs due to snowstorm and snowfall, the risk of traffic restriction and crash increases. Snowfall information along the road is necessary to contribute to road safety. Aim of the present study is to explore applicability of precipitation intensity measured by XRAIN as snowfall information on the road. We investigated relationship between precipitation intensity and value of the WIPS measured by the CCTV Camera which shows road visibility conditions using cross-correlation analysis. As a result, under snowfall and snowstorm conditions, it was revealed that road visibility could be estimated by precipitation intensity. Whereas, time series of values of the WIPS and precipitation intensity was different under strong wind and slightly snowfall condition. In this case, it was also revealed that we should consider advection of snow particles in the air.