Wind early alarm system for terrestrial transport handling evaluation of risks

Project Information

WEATHER

Grant agreement ID: 512862

Start date 1 October 2004

End date 30 September 2006

Funded under

• Horizontal research activities involving SMEs: Specific activities covering wider field of research under the Focusing and Integrating Community Research programme 2002-2006.

Total cost € 1 374 878,00

EU contribution € 906 045,00

Coordinated by

METEODYN
France

Final Report Summary - WEATHER (Wind early alarm system for terrestrial transport handling evaluation of risks)

The final objective of the WEATHER project was to develop an innovative wind alarm system for terrestrial transportation, which will enable risk evaluation. The WEATHER system has to be operational at the end of the project. The product has the special feature of predicting both the wind and the risk for a vehicle, in a particular section of road or track.

This final objective was achieved by dividing the research work in 4 main lines as the following:

Work package 1: Wind modelling
To elaborate spatial-time wind models (including prediction models) in compliance with the needs of wind alarm systems.

Work package 2: The aerodynamic coefficients
To develop robust methods to get cross wind forces on vehicles (wind-tunnel, CFD, field measurements). The criterion of success is given by comparison between the field experiment and the computations or wind tunnel studies. A final data base of aerodynamic coefficients has to be collected and to be associated to type of vehicles. It will be used in the wind alarm system.

Work package 3: Risk evaluation
To develop innovative methods to assess the risk of wind induced accidents of rail and road vehicles occurring at exposed sites.

Work package 4: Wind alarm system prototype

To implement these methods and to assist WEATHER SME in the development of the proposed wind alarm systems for terrestrial transport. The operational character of the prototype developed will be tested in real working conditions.

The WEATHER partners have collaborated in a very fruitful way and have been able to share their complementary know-how and knowledge. All the modifications of the planned schedule have been justified as regards the final objective to design an attractive operational wind alarm system.

The main results of the WEATHER program concern:
- the elaboration of spatial-time model in compliance with the needs of wind alarm systems (Work package 1). The time-prediction model can be improved in the future, perhaps with the integration of a meso-scale meteorological model.
- the development of robust methods to get cross wind forces on a van and a trailer (wind-tunnel, CFD, field measurements). A comparison between these three methods has been perfomed (Work package 2). Comparisons with other research results could be carried out in the future.
- The definition of a complete data base of aerodynamic coefficients to use in the wind alarm system (Work package 2). This data base could be supplied with new results in the future.
- the development of innovative sensors for surface state conditions and other environmental condition (CIR, PLUDIX). They can be proposed as optional in the wind alarm product.
- the development of innovative methods to assess the risk of wind induced accidents of rail and road vehicles occurring at exposed sites (Work package 3).
- the designing of a wind alarm prototype validated in real condition in the viaduct of Maremola.

The operational feature of the prototype developed has been tested in real working conditions. The SMEs now have a product at their disposal. They have now to continue their collaboration in order to keep their advance and to market the product.

Related documents

• Final Report - WEATHER (Wind early alarm system for terrestrial transport handling evaluation of risks)