Phase II Evaluation Trunk Highway 19 Snowplow Demonstration Project Minnesota DOT Intelligent Vehicle Initiative Winter 1999-2000

This Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) project evaluated ITS technologies to help snowplow drivers operate safely and efficiently in low visibility conditions. Two ITS technologies were evaluated: a lateral guidance system (LGS) developed by 3M and a collision warning system (CWS) developed by Altra Technologies. The LGS consisted of a magnetic pavement marking tape that was installed in Minnesota Highway 19. The CWS used a radar around the vehicles to detect and inform the driver of approaching obstacles. The limited testing during 1999-2000 winter demonstrated the technological feasibility and general user acceptance of the LGS and CWS technologies, though further enhancements in the systems are necessary and additional operational experience is needed to better document their benefits and costs. The systems are being further integrated and evaluated in the field as part of the USDOT Intelligent Vehicle Initiative Field Operational Test for Specialty Vehicles including snowplows.