High Sierra Electronics is claiming a unique approach to Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) with the launch of its newest product, the Model 5470 NTCIP Mini-RWIS Remote Processing Unit. This device is the heart of a non-proprietary, open architecture NTCIP-compliant Environmental Sensor Station (ESS), designed for primary deployment within existing or new ATC cabinets and Dynamic Message Sign (DMS) cabinets. The company says this approach allows simpler implementation at a lower cost than traditional i
The Model 5470 supports several 'actionable' weather sensors including wind speed and direction, precipitation, visibility, optical road surface status and water depth (for flood warning). The unit activates and deactivates isolated outputs based on user-settable high and low thresholds, enabling use of locally resolved weather status information to activate local public warning devices such as flashing beacon signs or DMS. Moreover, these outputs may be used to activate preemptions within the ATC, enabling new and innovative approaches to improving traffic safety.
In order to fit easily into the tight confines of a traffic cabinet, the entire mini-RWIS, including NTCIP controller, sensor surge protection, power converter and weather status outputs is packaged to fit in a single rack unit mount enclosure. Sensors are deployed on existing nearby traffic poles or support structures using standard Astro-Brac or similar hardware.
