We got ice pellets, not the freezing rain forecast, so we made the trip to the visitation.
Knew it would transition to snow as we got further north.
Dear wife had Waze chirping on the way.
It would report 'unplowed road ahead'.
But the road was at least one lane track bare.
Which in a snow storm when you grew up like I did used to driving in the snow is what you care about.
Took 2.5 hours each way versus the bit under 2 hours it usually takes on dry roads.
Reminded me of when at work, hired by Transport Canada, were at a conference working with the US AASHTO crowd.
To standardize message wording on over the road VMS signs, and dial a road condition query numbers with auto message announce.
These signs were becoming more common in the early 80's. Back when there was no such thing as a smart phone.
And there was a desire to harmonize the messaging so each different state/province messages meant the same thing.
For consistent traveller experience.
Americans wanted to call it just one phrase, snow covered road.
We argued that when you know snow, the following things are different, yet all involve snow storms and roads:
-Drifting and blowing snow hazard.
-Snow covered.
-Center bare
-Track bare.
Our opinion prevailed.
Too bad Waze did not learn from that effort, made for road operators more than 45 years ago.
I guess what can you expect when some Bro down in silicon valley coded the parameter phrases Waze users can report on.
Knew it would transition to snow as we got further north.
Dear wife had Waze chirping on the way.
It would report 'unplowed road ahead'.
But the road was at least one lane track bare.
Which in a snow storm when you grew up like I did used to driving in the snow is what you care about.
Took 2.5 hours each way versus the bit under 2 hours it usually takes on dry roads.
Reminded me of when at work, hired by Transport Canada, were at a conference working with the US AASHTO crowd.
To standardize message wording on over the road VMS signs, and dial a road condition query numbers with auto message announce.
These signs were becoming more common in the early 80's. Back when there was no such thing as a smart phone.
And there was a desire to harmonize the messaging so each different state/province messages meant the same thing.
For consistent traveller experience.
Americans wanted to call it just one phrase, snow covered road.
We argued that when you know snow, the following things are different, yet all involve snow storms and roads:
-Drifting and blowing snow hazard.
-Snow covered.
-Center bare
-Track bare.
Our opinion prevailed.
Too bad Waze did not learn from that effort, made for road operators more than 45 years ago.
I guess what can you expect when some Bro down in silicon valley coded the parameter phrases Waze users can report on.
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