Information Technology
Project Name: Snow Fence Inventory, Data Collection, and Mapping
Project Location: Statewide Wyoming
Services Provided:
- Data Management
- Field data system design and deployment
- GIS design and analysis
Trihydro was contracted by the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) Blowing Snow Research Project to inventory snow fences across the state. The snow fences exist to reduce the amount of snow blowing across roadways causing hazardous conditions to motorists.
During winter months the blowing snow technicians travel the roadways to inspect and document the road conditions. The research project maps out the worst road conditions during extreme weather along with the snow fence locations. Snow fence locations were inaccurate and not mapped when they were built and installed along the roadways.
Over the past 4 years, Trihydro field technicians were sent out to accurately map and inventory the condition of snow fences. The two man field crews would gain access from the local WYDOT foremen. The crew would use mapping grade GPS units to capture the locations of the fences within a 10 foot precision. At the same time, the crew would photograph the front, back, and anchor system. During this inspection the field technicians would enter conditional information about the fence in the custom data dictionary on the GPS units. Attributes such as fence height, anchor type, panels, and overall condition of the fence boards were collected.
The first year Trihydro was contracted to inventory the fences, traditional survey equipment was used and a total of 70 fences were inventoried. During the summer field season 2007, the crew mapped over 1000 fences for an estimated total of 110 miles of fences. Integrating mapping grade GPS and GIS deliverables, the crews have been able to develop a streamlined workflow; having the ability to capture more data within the same limitations of the budget each year.
Subsequent to data collection and mapping efforts, spatial and efficiency analyses are performed to understand the current effectiveness of the existing fence systems. Pending results of these analyses, WYDOT maintains and/or improves upon the snow fences.