National Weather Service to enlist your vehicle, mobile phone for weather reports
Meteorologists of the U.S. National Weather Service are testing out a system that enlists drivers, their vehicles and their mobile phones to create more accurate weather reports.
The project is intended to complement the data collected by 120 NWS forecast offices across the nation and its merry band of trained volunteer weather spotters.
The genius lies in harnessing already existing capabilities of vehicles on the road. Most cars already have sensors built into them to determine outside temperature. Using that data, the NWS can incorporate that information into other data, including radar and satellite images.
(Earlier this week, Ford announced a similar possibility using its Sync connectivity system.)
Temperature readings aren't the only information vehicles can process. Many vehicles also have on-board GPS receivers and can gather barometric pressure information, which is used to adjust the engine's fuel/air mix at elevation.
What's more, NWS meteorologists can deduce rain and snowfall from the speed and frequency of windshield wiper use. Information from antilock brakes and headlights can also lend insight into road conditions.
Best of all, the NWS is looking into the possibility of sending the report right back to drivers in an effort to help them drive more safely in inclement or hazardous weather.
A pilot project is already underway in Detroit, Michigan. With success, the project can be rolled out to regular drivers before 2020.
Have a smartphone and want to get in on the action right now? The NWS also launched a Twitter-based program that allows it to monitor weather tweets by anyone who participates. Power to the people, indeed.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com