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Black ice warning and detection solution
Prylada black ice detection solution, equipped with humidity and temperature sensors, effectively safeguards roads against the invisible threat of black ice, particularly on bridges and overpasses, which tend to freeze sooner due to their exposed structure.
Request a demoAccurate road condition monitoring. Who is responsible?
Types of companies responsible for monitoring road conditions (including black ice formation):
State and regional transport departments
Monitoring highways and interstates to prevent accidents.
Private road maintenance contractors
Optimizing road safety and streamlining black ice prevention efforts.
National meteorological services
Delivering timely weather warnings and critical road safety data.
Local municipalities
Keeping urban roads safe during winter conditions.
All these organizations depend on precise measurement and forecasting of black ice formation within their areas of responsibility. To ensure safety and operational efficiency, having a dependable contractor and a reliable monitoring system is essential.
View Prylada solutionWhen black ice on the road is occurring?
Conditions for ice formation
Black ice forms under specific conditions where a thin, transparent layer of ice develops on road surfaces. These conditions include:
- Night or early morning: When temperatures are lowest, sunlight cannot warm road surfaces.
- Sunset: Rapid cooling as the sun sets can freeze lingering moisture.
Air temperature: Near or just below freezing (32°F or 0°C).
- Precipitation: Rain, drizzle, or mist freezing upon contact with cold surfaces.
- Melting snow or ice: Re-freezing of meltwater due to plummeting temperatures at night.
Black ice often forms in shaded regions (under bridges, tunnels, or tree-covered areas) where sunlight does not reach the surface to warm it.
Bridges and overpasses are especially prone to black ice because they cool faster than ground-level roads due to air circulation above and below.
Alternating periods of freezing at night and thawing during the day create ideal conditions for black ice formation.
Bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas are especially prone to black ice due to colder surface temperatures, making them frequent sites for accidents and delays.
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An IoT-powered monitoring system makes detecting black ice conditions faster and more reliable. Real-time data from temperature, humidity, and surface sensors help identify when and where black ice will likely form, enabling immediate action to keep roads safe and prevent accidents.
Prylada solution for black ice warning and detection
The Prylada IoT Gateway and black ice early warning system combine advanced sensors and proven IoT technology to deliver real-time weather monitoring and critical alerts. Sensors are strategically placed to collect key data, that is wirelessly transmitted via mobile networks to a centralized control system.
Key sensors and components
- Prylada NB-IoT Gateway.
- Air temperature sensor: Monitors freezing conditions.
- Humidity sensor: Tracks moisture levels for ice prediction.
- 60GHz radar: A non-contact sensor using pulsed coherent radar (PCR) to measure surface distance.
- Battery-powered units: Ensure reliable sensor operation.
- Solar panel: Provides sustainable energy for the system.
This system delivers accurate, real-time data to enhance safety and streamline monitoring processes. Hosted on the Prylada Cloud, a private cloud, or a local server, processes and visualizes the data on intuitive software dashboards.
Prylada's black ice detection system utilizes configurable thresholds and conditions to trigger real-time alarms when environmental parameters suggest a high risk of ice formation. Here's how the alarming process works:
Alarm conditions
Humidity and temperature thresholds
Example: An alarm is activated if humidity exceeds 80% and temperature falls below 4°C.
Extreme temperature changes
Example: An alarm triggers when temperatures rise above 80%.
Rapid environmental changes
Alarms detect significant, rapid changes in humidity or temperature over a short time frame."Significant" changes and "short time" periods are fully configurable based on regional weather patterns.
Sustained critical states
An alarm activates only if critical conditions persist for a defined duration (e.g., temperature below 4°C for at least 180 seconds). This avoids false alarms from brief fluctuations.
Customization for climate and geography
Our system supports tailoring thresholds and conditions to different climate zones, topographies, and local factors that influence black ice formation, ensuring flexibility and accuracy across diverse environments.
How it works in real-time
Data collection
Sensors continuously monitor humidity, temperature, and their rate of change.
Threshold check
The system evaluates sensor data against the pre-configured alarm conditions.
Critical state monitoring
If a critical threshold is met, the system tracks the duration of the condition to verify its persistence.
Alarm activation
If the conditions are sustained and meet all criteria, an alarm is triggered.
Notifications
Alerts are sent in real-time to the appropriate channels (e.g., dashboards, SMS, email) for immediate action.
This approach ensures timely and accurate black ice detection while minimizing false alarms through configurable thresholds and duration checks.
Looking for reliable black ice detection? Fill out the form, and we’ll provide a tailored solution for your needs.
Road weather measurements with Prylada
Get road weather measurements from challenging locations, easily and affordably.Ensuring safe driving conditions and smooth mobility requires monitoring your entire road network. While you may already have road weather stations in place, some areas might remain uncovered or experience unique conditions due to factors like topography, shading, or localized weather patterns.
Prylada system is easy to install anywhere — even in places that have previously beenchallenging, such as on bridges or remote locations.
Winter maintenance: asset monitoring strategies for harsh weather conditions
Explore winter maintenance with remote monitoring strategies for roads, roofs, and railways. Prevent damage and ensure safety during harsh conditions.
Businesses that benefit from implementing black ice detection solutions
Black ice warning and detection are crucial for various industries in reducing crash factors and improving safety in winter conditions. Prylada’s solution is well-suited for the following sectors:
To ensure safe delivery routes and prevent accidents that can disrupt supply chains.
For buses and trains, especially in regions with frequent freeze-thaw cycles.
To improve driver safety and minimize liability risks during icy conditions.
For efficient deployment of de-icing crews and materials.
Firefighters, police, and ambulances can use this data to navigate icy roads safely.
To monitor ice on airport runways, taxiways, and surrounding access roads.
To monitor elevated surfaces prone to ice accumulation.
For maintaining public safety on sidewalks, bike paths, and crosswalks.
Companies managing large vehicle fleets can optimize routes and reduce risks for drivers during icy conditions.
Shopping malls, office complexes, and parking lot managers can reduce accidents in customer-accessible areas like parking lots or driveways.
Utility providers and bridge managers to maintain operations in icy conditions.
Insurance companies could use black ice detection to assess risks, guide policyholders, and reduce claims related to winter accidents.
What differentiates Prylada from other black ice warning systems?
Seamless wireless communication
Prylada’s system uses NB-IoT technology for secure, cable-free, and reliable data transmission.
Easy installation
The system can be installed quickly by a single technician, minimizing setup time and disruptions.
Low maintenance
Designed for durability, the system requires minimal upkeep, reducing operational costs.
Real-time alerts
Delivers instant notifications when conditions for black ice formation are detected, enabling swift action to ensure safety.
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