The UDOT Citizen Reporting Program enlists volunteers to report on current road conditions along specific roadway segments across Utah. The volunteers can be UDOT employees, law enforcement, truck drivers, plow drivers, experienced commuters, or other volunteers. The long term goal of adding Citizen Reporters to UDOT’s weather operations road reporting is to supplement current condition reporting on segments where drivers are already traveling.

Current and forecast weather conditions are a critical part of traveler information in Utah. Utah has many high mountain passes and rural routes that frequently experience hazardous winter weather, and accurate road condition information for these routes is vital for traveler safety and route planning. Citizen Reporters will help to enhance UDOT’s coverage of road weather reporting by providing data on road segments throughout the state of Utah. UDOT has a network of Road Weather Information Stations (RWIS), traffic cameras and Traveler Information Meteorologists that help to create a road conditions report. UDOT also utilizes reports from snow plow crews. See the diagram below for additional information:

How does UDOT compile all of the incoming data and determine the appropriate road/weather conditions?

UDOT has a sophisticated network of Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) deployed throughout the state. These RWIS units collect road and weather data and transmit the data back to the UDOT Traffic Operations Center (TOC). Meteorologists at the TOC use this information to verify the conditions seen on atmospheric models. UDOT also receives valuable road/weather information from its plow drivers, and with the launch of the Citizen Reporter Program, trained volunteer reporters. All of the incoming data is compiled with carefully crafted logic to determine the condition of the road surface. Reports from plow drivers, law enforcement and other experienced reporters may be utilized in a different way than volunteer citizen data, however all data is immensely valuable and helpful in determining the condition of the road surface.

How do I become a UDOT Citizen Reporter?

In order to become a UDOT Citizen Reporter, you will need to complete a brief training (either online or in person), take a short quiz and complete a sign-up form. The training takes approximately 30 minutes. Once a volunteer has completed these steps, they will be provided with a login and PIN, and can begin submitting reports. Reports are submitted through the UDOT Citizen Reporting app, downloadable for Android and Apple devices from the iStore or Android Market.

If you would like to become a Citizen Reporter, please follow this link to take the online training: Citizen Reporting Training. For more information or to schedule an in person training, contact UDOT Citizen Reporting program at udotcitizenreporter@utah.gov

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	Degree of caution	Weather Impact on Travel	Recommended Action
GREEN	Low	Minimal	Normal Caution
YELLOW	Moderate	Minor/intermittent weather related road concerns anticipated	Monitor 511, UDOT Traffic Web page and NWS Weather Forecasts.
RED	High	Travel expected to be impaired. Be prepared for hazardous road conditions	Monitor 511, UDOT Traffic Web page and NWS weather forecasts. Be prepared to alter travel plans as necessary

UDOT Traffic Road Weather FAQ

How does a road weather forecast differ from the forecast I see on the news at night?

A road weather forecast only concentrates on weather that impacts travel. For example, 3 inches of snow might be forecast to stick on the grass, but roads may remain wet.

What is an RWIS?

RWIS stands for Road Weather Information System. UDOT maintains a network of RWIS weather stations across the state of Utah. RWIS stations have atmospheric sensors, road sensors and cameras. These instruments measure air temperature, wind speed and direction, precipitation, road temperature, road surface condition, and other variables.

What do you do with the information you collect from RWIS sites and how does it help me travel?

RWIS stations provide critical information to a team of UDOT meteorologists and plow crews to help keep roads free of snow. RWIS stations also help inform the public of what the road conditions are like around the state.

Where can I get forecasted road weather impacts from UDOT?

UDOT provides road weather forecasts in 5 different locations. The 511 travel information line On UDOTTraffic.utah.gov under "Additional Info" click "Road Weather Alert" (when flashing) On UDOTTraffic.utah.gov in the top center of the page click "Road Weather" The "Current Conditions" tab (October 1 ‐ March 31) has updated road conditions on 141 segments of Utah's roads. The "Road Conditions Forecast" tab is updated by meteorologists at the TOC to help motorists know what to expect for three 6 hour time blocks on 63 segments of Utah's Interstates and Highways. Download the free "UDOT Traffic" app for Apple or Android devices. Follow UDOT Traffic on Twitter.

What is a "Road Weather Alert"?

A Road Weather Alert is a road weather forecast of expected statewide storm impacts to Utah's roads. Road Weather Alerts are issued before and during weather systems that will/are affecting travel on Utah's roads.

How do I read the weather symbols on the UDOT Traffic app?

Current Forecast 3-6 Hour Forecast 6-9 Hour Forecast 9-12 Hour Forecast 12-15 Hour Forecast 15-18 Hour Forecast 18-21 Hour Forecast 21-24 Hour Forecast

	Degree of caution	Weather Impact on Travel	Recommended Action
GREEN	Low	Minimal	Normal Caution
YELLOW	Moderate	Minor/intermittent weather related road concerns anticipated	Monitor 511, UDOT Traffic Web page and NWS Weather Forecasts.
RED	High	Travel expected to be impaired. Be prepared for hazardous road conditions	Monitor 511, UDOT Traffic Web page and NWS weather forecasts. Be prepared to alter travel plans as necessary