Thermal Heat Maps

[Skyryder]

I read something the other day in the Press that the LTSA (I think it was them) are going to install some kind of system that indicates road iceing. Anyone know what this is and how it works?

Skyryder

[dangerous]

The only ice warning sign's I have ever seen are north of Omahe (*sp) south of Cheviot, its a red light that says 'ice' When I was driving trucks often this sign would be lite up at 5am a good thing it is.

[Jackrat]

Don't know anything about it/them,but a good place to set one up would be at the end of the main St in Taupo.
Crash,limp limp

[Bob]

Take a look at this - it explains how black ice sensors work

[LB]

There's ice signs at three places in the Nth Island:
Hihitahi, between Waiouru and Taihape (in the twisties)
Waituhi Saddle, SH41 between Taumarunui and Turangi
Makatote Viaduct, SH4 near National Park

The signs light up warning of ice when there's ice.

You can check it out on this website, though there seems to be a problem with a couple of the data recorders - only the Waituhi Saddle one is current, the other two are stuck on early June.

http://www.transit.govt.nz/road_information/index.jsp

[Slim]

I'm not convinced that those sites are "ice warning signs", Lynda. They certainly give road temperature along with air temperature, but they're listed as "Road & Weather Information" sites.

I saw one big ice sign on the Desert Road on Sunday that had flashing orange lights in the four corners that were lit. There may have been a couple of other ones, but only one of them was actually lit. Whether or not it was actually connected to sensors, I don't know. It was raining at the time & above zero outside at about midday. I thought the "flash flooding" signs were interesting - there's two on the Desert Rd.

[merv]

The only ice warning sign's I have ever seen are north of Omahe (*sp) south of Cheviot, its a red light that says 'ice' When I was driving trucks often this sign would be lite up at 5am a good thing it is.

Omihi - and the other one when I lived down south was the Selwyn River bridge south of ChCh on the way to Ashburton - is that still there?

[Skyryder]

.............Selwyn River bridge south of ChCh on the way to Ashburton - is that still there?

No. It's been down for some time.

Skyyrder

[Skyryder]

I managed to find the story. Press Saturday June 19. Marlbough Roads Manager Frank Porter said a thermal mapping system which would help it monitor ice on the roads was under review and was being installed by Transit New Zealand around the country. The article continued and said it would cost somwhere around $200,000 and 300,000 and will be able to predict areas prone to black ice. It's possible that this system will be installed by next winter.

The bit that intrigued me was the system was touted as being able to predict areas prone to black ice. This is diiferent from known areas where black ice forms

Unable to find out anything else about this. Anyone heard of this system and how it works.

Skyryder

[dangerous]

Omihi - and the other one when I lived down south was the Selwyn River bridge south of ChCh on the way to Ashburton - is that still there?

I never remember one there, mind you I am a tad younger than you and Skyrider however you guys might remember the 's' bend bridge just before the Rakaia bridge which they tried a system were the bridge had under seal heaters that came on when the frosts hit, the one that always seemed to fail once the ice had melted and then the water ran down the bridge and froze in a big black ice puddle at the bottom, or something like that so it was removed.

A similer method is used on the Otria viaduct which would be a vital must, I mean you guys have seen how steep that sucker is, arse off at the top of that in the ice and I recon you would brake the sound barrier before ya hit the bottom.

[sedge]

I rode through the Desert rd last night about 8pm, the ice signs were flashing, didn't feel a thing ?, maybe they are always on at night ?, or was I lucky ?, it was frecking cold though, lucky I didn't get hypothermia. Does knowing that there is ice on the roads make a difference?, would you still ride through ?, was I an idiot for plowing on ?.

[Skyryder]

A similer method is used on the Otria viaduct which would be a vital must, I mean you guys have seen how steep that sucker is, arse off at the top of that in the ice and I recon you would brake the sound barrier before ya hit the bottom.

I can remember one of my bus driving colegues telling me the first time he went over the viaduct. Did not realise how steep the gradient was and nearly lost the bus. Anyone travelling that stretch of road from East to West just take a little care.

There use to be an ice sighn over the Selwyn River but I think it was taken down due to on going vandalism.

Skyryder