South Dakota Department of Transportation: South Dakota Environmental Sensor and Camera Stations

With severe winter weather impacting road conditions throughout the state, the South Dakota Department of Transportation needed weather data and camera images to stay updated on real-time road conditions. This $3 million project installed 120 environmental sensor stations along the state’s highways to create a road weather information system (RWIS) that gives motorists and commercial vehicles safer travel options, allowing them to avoid hazardous weather conditions and reroute when necessary. These systems also offer weather observations to the National Weather Service, which aids in their forecasting and advisory efforts. As a result, these installations have helped to address the lack of weather observations in rural areas, contributing to a more comprehensive and accurate weather monitoring system. The stations also deliver real-time data and images to maintenance staff, as well as to travelers through the SDDOT’s 511 website, mobile apps, and rest area kiosks. The sensor stations use high-resolution video cameras, meteorological sensors, an NTCIP-compliant controller, and cellular communications to provide a comprehensive view of road conditions.