NiuBoL Road Weather Solution: Empowering Intelligent Transportation & Road Safety Early Warning

Definition and Core Mission of Road Weather Station

What is a Road Weather Station?

A road weather station is a comprehensive road detection system specifically designed for the transportation industry. It is a typical integrated road monitoring station whose core mission is to promptly identify abnormal traffic environmental factors and meteorological conditions.

By integrating high-precision meteorological sensors and professional road condition detection equipment, the system continuously monitors road surface condition (ice, snow, water), visibility, weather phenomena, and basic meteorological parameters (wind speed, wind direction, temperature/humidity/pressure, and rainfall). It provides scientific, real-time data for meteorological and traffic management departments and is key infrastructure for road safety early warning, transportation efficiency improvement, and public driving safety.

Unique Value of NiuBoL Solution

With over a decade of experience in intelligent sensor R&D, NiuBoL is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality, and intelligent measurement instruments and solutions. Our road weather solution offers the following unique values:

Comprehensiveness and targeting: Covers both basic meteorological parameters and key traffic safety elements (visibility, road surface condition).
Non-contact road surface detection technology: Uses remote sensing non-contact road surface condition sensors, eliminating road damage and traffic interference during installation, with extremely low maintenance costs.
High reliability and harsh environment adaptability: All sensors feature rugged housings and professional designs, ensuring stable operation and accurate data in severe weather.

System Structure and Sensing Principles of Road Weather Station

Basic Configuration and Structure

A complete NiuBoL road weather station consists of the following key components:

Key Traffic Safety Sensors (Core):
• Visibility Meter (NBL-W-VS): Detects visibility for fog/haze warnings
• Road Surface Condition Sensor (NBL-W-RSCS): Detects ice, snow, water thickness for icing/slippery warnings

Basic Meteorological Sensors:
• Atmospheric Temp/Humidity/Pressure Sensor (NBL-W-LBTH)
• Wind Direction Sensor (NBL-W-DS) / Wind Speed Sensor (NBL-W-SS)
• Tipping-Bucket Rainfall Sensor (NBL-W-RS)

Data Acquisition & Transmission Unit: Processes, stores, and uploads data in real time via wired/wireless (4G/5G/WiFi) to traffic management platforms.
Auxiliary Structures: Observation mast, radiation shield (protects temp/humidity/pressure sensor), power supply system (mains or solar).

Core Sensing Principles of Road Weather Station

Focus Analysis: Non-Contact Road Surface Condition Remote Sensing

NBL-W-RSCS uses advanced multi-spectral measurement technology — a non-contact (remote sensing) method. It emits specific wavelength beams to the road surface and receives reflected spectral signals. Ice, snow, and water have unique absorption/reflection characteristics across different spectra. By precisely analyzing these reflected spectra, the detector accurately distinguishes surface covering type (dry, wet, frost, ice, snow) and measures thickness, achieving high-precision warning without interfering with traffic.

Installation Standards, Methods & Common Troubleshooting for Road Weather Stations

Installation Standards and Site Selection

Scientific installation directly affects data accuracy and warning capability.

Visibility Meter Installation: Height typically 1.5–3 m to match driver line of sight. Choose open view, avoid local smoke, steam, or building reflections.
Road Surface Condition Sensor (NBL-W-RSCS): Non-contact remote sensing allows installation on existing mast or nearby structures. Adjust height/angle per manufacturer specifications to ensure unobstructed view of target road section.
Wind Speed/Direction Sensors: Usually at 10 m or required height, away from obstacles (bridges, noise barriers) for representative wind field data.
Power & Communication: Ensure stable power (mains or reliable solar) and strong communication signal (4G/5G) for real-time data upload.

Common Faults and Troubleshooting

Application Scenarios, Selection Recommendations & Benefit Analysis

Typical Application Scenarios

Highways & Expressways: Monitor fog-prone, icing, and strong wind sections (bridges, tunnel entrances, mountain roads) for instant warnings and speed limit reminders.
High-Altitude / Mountain Roads: Monitor ice/snow and low temperature for de-icing and snow removal guidance.
Airports & Ports: Provide accurate visibility and wind data for aviation and shipping scheduling.
Urban Traffic Hubs: Monitor visibility and rain/snow to optimize traffic signal timing.

Selection Recommendations: Customize Your Traffic Safety Network

Core Demand Determination:
• Fog area monitoring → Must include visibility meter
• Icing monitoring → Must include road surface condition sensor + temp/humidity/pressure sensor
• Bridge/overpass wind control → Must include high-precision wind sensors

Installation Environment Considerations:
• Easy trenching/wired power → Embedded sensors possible
• Remote/difficult trenching (preferred) → Choose NiuBoL NBL-W-RSCS non-contact sensor for remote, safe, rapid deployment

Data Transmission Requirements: Urban main roads require high real-time performance (4G/5G); remote mountains can use lower-power LoRa or satellite communication.

Economic & Social Benefit Analysis

Social Benefits: Real-time early warning effectively reduces accidents and casualties caused by adverse weather, ensuring public travel safety.
Economic Benefits: Provides precise data for on-demand de-icing/snow removal, saving manpower, materials, and chemical costs while reducing economic losses from road closures.

Common Questions (FAQ)

Q: Which is better — NBL-W-RSCS (non-contact) or embedded road surface sensor?
A: NBL-W-RSCS advantages: safe/convenient installation, no road damage, almost maintenance-free. Embedded sensors measure internal road temperature directly. For most applications, non-contact NBL-W-RSCS is preferred.

Q: Visibility meter range 5 m to 10 km — how does it cover this large range?
A: Uses forward scattering principle measuring particle scattering intensity, converted via professional algorithm (atmospheric extinction coefficient) to visibility distance.

Q: Will visibility meter be affected by vehicle headlights or street lights?
A: No. NBL-W-VS uses unique design and specific light source frequency, immune to local light sources including flashing lights, ensuring accuracy at night or in heavy traffic.

Q: How does NBL-W-RSCS distinguish ice from water on the road?
A: Multi-spectral technology — ice, snow, and water have completely different reflection characteristics in infrared and near-infrared bands; sensor analyzes spectral differences for precise identification.

Q: At what wind speed should warnings be issued?
A: Depends on road design and management requirements — typically gusts ≥ Level 7 (~13.9 m/s) or Level 8+, especially on bridges and elevated roads.

Q: What is the data delay of the road weather station?
A: With 4G/5G real-time transmission and 1-minute (or shorter) intervals, delay from collection to platform display is typically 10–30 seconds, meeting real-time warning needs.

Q: How does the system determine if the road will freeze?
A: Comprehensive judgment: road surface temperature below freezing point + high air humidity confirms icing risk.

Q: What lightning protection measures does the station have?
A: Complete lightning protection: reliable mast grounding, built-in sensor lightning modules, and signal isolation protection ensure safety and data stability during thunderstorms.

Q: What is the significance of rainfall sensor for traffic warning?
A: Measures rainfall intensity. Heavy rain (>10 mm/h) can cause water accumulation, visibility drop, and tire skidding — critical basis for immediate warnings.

Q: Can NiuBoL station data integrate with existing traffic management platforms?
A: Yes. Provides standard protocols (Modbus-RTU, TCP/IP) and API interfaces for seamless integration with provincial traffic information platforms or highway monitoring systems.

Q: What certifications does NiuBoL have?
A: CE, ISO9001, RoHS, and nationally recognized meteorological calibration certificates.

Summary

NiuBoL road weather solution, with its high-precision, high-reliability sensor configuration — especially the application of non-contact road surface remote sensing technology — successfully builds a comprehensive, intelligent, and efficient road meteorological monitoring network. It provides traffic management departments with unprecedented real-time environmental insight, making proactive, preventive interventions possible before adverse weather arrives.

Choosing NiuBoL means choosing a precise “meteorological warning key” for your road safety network, ensuring smooth vehicle operation and achieving true intelligent traffic management.

Sensor data sheet

NBL-W-RS-Rain-sensors-instruction-manual-V4.0.pdf

NBL-W-DRS-Double-Tipping-Bucket-Rain-Sensor-Instruction-Manual.pdf

NBL-W-SNOW-Ultrasonic-Snow-depth-sensor-Manual4.0.pdf

NBL-W-VS-Visibility-Sensor-Instruction-Manual.pdf