Sensing slick roads

You may not even notice but beneath the pavement on Ohio's major interstates is a sensor feeding information 24 hours a day. 

 

Mandi Abner, Public Information Officer ODOT, "It's a six inch round puck that goes down into the pavement it's able to read the temperatures whether there is dry pavement or ice just all types of things that are going out on the roadways."

 

Spaced out along the interstates are small weather stations like these giving crews clues to what the roads look like. Rainfall, temperature and most importantly surface road conditions allows ODOT to see where the problem spots are.  

 

You can also see if ice is a problem by clicking a mouse.  ODOT has upgraded its website with an easier user interface.  By clicking on the snowflake you can instantly see the information sent back from the weather sensors.   

 

"You can find out conditions whether the pavement is dry or wet you can find out how fast traffic is moving.  to see if there is any kind of back ups you can also check the traffic cameras if you are a visual person and want to see what the roads look like so there, " Abner says.  

 

It's always more difficult to see freezing rain on the pavement before it's too late.  But this extra tool will give you a birds eye view before you head on the highway.  

 

For a look at the upgraded OHGO.com click here
For traffic cameras and maps click here
For the latest Stormteam 2 forecast click here .