OpenRoad

OpenRoad is a road weather forecast package that helps those responsible for maintaining the smooth running of the roads, to plan, manage and minimise the effects of the weather.

For more than 15 years, OpenRoad has been delivering key information to road transport and infrastructure decision makers.

OpenRoad gives you fast and easy access to accurate road weather forecasts 24 hours a day, enabling you to make more-informed decisions. Forecasts are based on Met Office science combined with data received from a network of specialised road sensors installed on major roads.

Winter or summer, we can provide you with the information you need to keep the roads safe and open for all road users.

We work with a number of road sensor manufacturers including Vaisala Ltd, who provide all of our specialist communications, and Findlay Irvine, who provide a number of sensors in the UK.

Features include:

information delivered via a password-protected web site, fax and e-mail, or a modem link to your ice-prediction system or road weather information service (RWIS);
24-hour text forecasts by single area, climatic domain, or by route to identify relevant factors;
direct access to forecasters;
two- to five-day forecasts;
evening updates;
site-specific ice-prediction graphs;
rainfall and flood warnings;
year-on-year comparisons;
specialist summer dressing forecasts;
legal consultancy;
training courses for key staff.

Full technical description

Download brochure (PDF, 2.9 Mb)

ACCURACY OF UK OPENROAD FORECASTS
Season (Nov-Apr)	False alarm rate	Frost detection rate	Overall accuracy
2001/2	28.6%	87.1%	89.1%
2002/3	23.7%	90.3%	89.9%
2003/4	24.8%	91.5%	90.1%
2004/5	25.2%	89.7%	90.2%
2005/6	25.5%	90.0%	86.9%

Target	<=30.0%	>=87.0%	N/A

For further information about working with the Met Office on weather solutions please contact our 24-hour Customer Centre or contact openroad@metoffice.gov.uk.

OpenRoad is a registered trademark of the Met Office.