In this poster session, authors will present their papers on the topic 4 (also presented during poster session 6), topic 6 (also presented during poster session 8), topic 8 (also presented during poster session 8) and topic 10 (also presented during poster session 6).

Topic 4: New technologies and methods in winter service

Winter service evolves over the years with ongoing development and research. This topic covers all subjects concerning innovation in techniques and technologies in winter service.

Techniques

• Application of de-icers and anti-icers
• Improvement in the use of abrasives
• Snow and ice clearance procedures and methodologies
• Sustainable and adaptive maintenance procedures
• Protection against snowdrifts and avalanches

Technologies

• New snow and ice clearing equipment
• Automation of snow and ice control
• New or alternative chemicals or materials
• Route selection and optimisation
• Specifications and standardisation of equipment and materials
• Measurement of residual winter chemicals
• Sustainable products or equipment

Topic 6: Road user communications and connected and autonomous vehicles during winter

This topic will look at what winter information the general public want and need to know, and the best platforms to use to ensure the information can be delivered clearly and efficiently using both manual input and information being received and sent from connected vehicles. Also, what are the effects winter conditions will have on connected and autonomous vehicles; and the effect connected and autonomous vehicles on winter service?

• What information does the travelling public need to know?
• What are the best and safest platforms to use to get the information in the public domain?
• How can information from the public be used to assist winter decisions and operations?
• How can connected vehicles assist with live information from the roads?
• How is it best to send information and current conditions to connected vehicles?
• What impact do snow and ice have on the safe use of autonomous vehicles?

Topic 8: Best practices for increasing resilience in road networks

This call seeks to identify best practices that increase the resilience of the road transportation system to all threats/ hazards, including:

• climate change and extreme weather
• aging infrastructure
• natural disasters
• man-made disasters
• and cyber-physical threats

We encourage submissions that address the assessment of resilience, implementation of actions to increase resilience, as well as identification of the economic, social and environmental aspects of resilience management, and the cost-effectiveness of proven adaptation strategies.

This also includes the development of climate change adaptation frameworks for road infrastructure and identification of methodologies for risk management and data requirements (e.g. innovative practices in terms of acquiring, processing and sharing forecasting data and risk analysis, as well as the development of platforms integrating geographic information systems -GIS- and asset management systems). Vulnerability assessments, prioritising risks, developing and selecting adaptation responses and strategies, and decision making may consider new and innovative methodological approaches, in particular criticality assessment, and adaptation pathways.

Best practices should focus on resilience, with special attention to actions that help to prepare, respond, recover and adapt to future threats/hazards.

Topic 10: Improving resilience of Road Network Operations through ITS and new technologies

When disruptions happen the ability of road operators to deliver information properly to road users may be compromised and the efficiency of road operations may be jeopardized. Hazards occurring along the network (like winter extreme situations or high impact events for example) can be a challenge for many Road Operators in terms of ensuring the viability of the road, and therefore the mobility of people and goods along the network itself.

New technologies offer new possibilities to engage with road users and avoid disruptions, such as:

• Connectivity (i.e. V2X) secures a faster transmission of data than ever before, allowing road operators to fast track road operations;
• Big data and advanced analytics (i.e. machine learning and AI) allow road operators to perform better especially in times of crisis and emergencies, ensuring better information in a sensible short period together with better decision-making processes;
• New methods of data collection (i.e. probe data) complement the panel of information in order to provide customized services to users.

This theme includes all papers that provide experiences of how data collection, use of new technologies and analysis represent for road operators valuable assets in order to provide not only basic information but also real value to road users, improving the efficiency of road network operations.