Gov. Jim Justice and the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) recently announced the award of a $4.7 million contract to Specialty Groups Inc. to upgrade and install Road Weather Information System (RWIS) stations in West Virginia.
These roadside weather stations collect data on weather and road conditions and transmit it to the WVDOT’s Traffic Management Center (TMC) in Charleston. This enables the WVDOT to promptly alert drivers about adverse weather conditions in real-time, enhancing safety on the roads.
WVDOT operates about 40 RWIS units around the state.
“Making sure our weather stations have the most updated technology to provide accurate information is important to everyone traveling in West Virginia,” Gov. Justice said. “Safety is a top priority, and this funding is really going to help us keep our citizens informed about any potential dangers on the roads before they happen. We want everyone traveling in West Virginia to feel secure and prepared.”
RWIS is a component of WVDOT’s overall Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) program. RWIS stations provide the WVDOT with the ability to more effectively manage state roadways and communicate information to users on WV 511 and other platforms in a timely manner with respect to local weather conditions and its effects on the roadway.
This information can allow the WVDOT to more efficiently optimize snow removal and ice control operations, identify weather and roadway conditions of concern and interest to motorists, and create site-specific forecasts for sections of highway.
Texas college creates CDL training partnership
Hill College, located in Hillsboro, Texas, recently announced a new partnership with Frontier Support Logistics (FSL) — a leader in the freight logistics industry — to establish the Hill College-Frontier Support Logistics Truck Driving Academy.
A statement from the college said the partnership fulfills an increasing need for both classroom and driving training in Texas and will provide Hill College students the opportunity to complete a commercial driver’s license (CDL) training program certified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
“The creation of this partnership with FSL will allow Hill College to make a direct impact on the local community and the state by supplying Texas with the necessary 7.43% increase (or 224,224 drivers) in the need for heavy haul and tractor-trailer drivers. Our students will leave with a high-demand certificate of completion and a class-A commercial driver’s license. We are thrilled about this partnership and look forward to the added value this will bring to the community, employers, and students who will benefit from this program,” said Vice President of Student Learning & Success Irene Accomando.
The CDL Program consists of two courses, a total of 240 hours over either a six-week, in-person course or a hybrid four-week course. Enrollment for the CDL program is open and the first cohort will begin classes Nov. 1. Financial assistance is also available to students that qualify.
Hill College is located about 60 miles south of Dallas.
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