The most effective and affordable road weather information system for cities, towns and counties

Vaisala Guardian is an innovative, non-invasive Road Weather Information System (RWIS) that cost-effectively provides you with the most accurate pavement-specific weather information available.

Removing uncertainty and guess work, Guardian empowers maintenance and operations personnel to remotely monitor road conditions in real-time with unprecedented levels of precision. The benefits are measured in better decisions, more timely responses, peak operational efficiency, lower costs and increased safety for the traveling public.

Vaisala: the most trusted name in Road Weather Information Systems

Exceeding expectations for almost eight decades, Vaisala is the world's largest manufacturer of weather measurement devices. Serving over 100 countries, we supply approximately 40% of the road weather information systems and services used around the globe today.

Vaisala is the only company that manufactures all the sensors and remote processing electronics in its road weather systems. Our unique ability to provide complete solutions ensures smooth integrations and the highest levels of compatibility with your existing technologies.

Advanced instruments. Turnkey solutions. Industry-leading installation and support services. When you choose Vaisala, you benefit from the unmatched expertise that has made us the world leader in our field. We revolutionized the measurement of road surfaces and no other provider comes close to our level of expertise, R&D and quality assurance.

Greater accuracy - instantly know the conditions at your road site

• The amount of accumulated water, frost, ice, slush and snow.
• Real-time measurements of grip.
• The temperature of air and pavement.
• The effectiveness of treatments and winter maintenance efforts.
• The level of traction and safety offered by roadways and sidewalks.

Ease of installation and relocation

• No roadway damage or closures during setup.
• Virtually maintenance-free operation.

Convenience and simplicity of use - meaningful data that is easily understood and accessible from anywhere

• Receive automatic cell phone, PDA or pager alerts when conditions reach your established thresholds.
• Know exactly when to treat roads to ensure grip and prevent accidents.
• Have your sensors trigger variable message signs to warn motorists of hazardous road conditions or control the timing of lights to better manage traffic in deteriorating weather.
• View real-time and historical data using a Web display that is accessible 24/7 from anywhere.

These are just a few of the reasons that make the Vaisala Guardian the smart choice for your road sensor solution.

The road to efficient snow and ice maintenance operations

Designed for non-contact measurement, the Guardian uses eye-safe laser spectroscopy and emits infrared wavelengths that gauge critical pavement information during all types of weather.

Employing the latest in optical technology, the Guardian's independent surface state and temperature sensors measure frost, rain, snow, slush and black ice independently of each other. Precision is unaffected by fog and falling snow and the sensors also feature an algorithm that filters out traffic to excellent performance at all times.

The Guardian is easily installed on existing structures, such as lighting poles, traffic signals and buildings. Accommodating diverse operating environments, its sensors can be placed up to 50 ft (15m) from the roadside at a horizontal angle between 30 and 85 degrees. Once mounted, you just hook up power, hit a switch and data starts transmitting via cellular modem.

In addition to assessing pavement temperature and state, the Guardian's sensors have the unique ability to report on road friction and the reduction in grip caused by adverse weather conditions. Knowing how slippery the road surface is provides an excellent metric for determining the success of -and need - for winter road maintenance operations.

Providing year round benefits, the Guardian's water readings can be used to prevent accidents attributed to hydroplaning and reduced braking capacity during periods of rain in warmer months. The Guardian's pavement temperature and moisture readings are also useful when making decisions about other road maintenance initiatives, such as pavement repair, painting, striping and construction.

Cost savings

• How does the Guardian help cities, towns and counties to save money? Why is it such a good investment?
  The Guardian promotes operational efficiencies that reduce winter maintenance operating costs on aspects such as salt, sand, pre-wetting and de-icing chemicals, fuel, overtime and equipment upkeep.
  
  According to the Strategic Highway Research Program (authorized by U.S. Congress), most studies directed toward comparing direct costs of snow and ice control with the costs of RWIS indicate benefit to cost ratios of up to 5 to 1. This means for every dollar spent on an RWIS solution, five dollars are saved in direct snow and ice control maintenance costs.
• How much more affordable is the Guardian compared to in-pavement RWIS solutions?
  The Guardian is available for about a third of the cost of installing a single in-pavement RWIS site. In addition to being movable, the Guardian's sensors exceed the accuracy of an in-pavement sensor and measure a larger surface area.
• Is it true there are no installation and maintenance fees?
  Yes. The Guardian can be conveniently attached to existing structures (lighting poles, traffic signals, buildings, etc.) in a quick "do it yourself" procedure. Unlike other RWIS systems, the Guardian is virtually maintenance-free. The Guardian requires only periodic cleaning of its sensor lenses and will automatically inform you when the lenses are dirty.

Operational Impact

• How does the Guardian help to improve operations?
  Removing uncertainty, the Guardian enables you to remote monitor road conditions in real-time with unprecedented levels of precision. By cost-effectively providing the most accurate pavement specific weather information available, the Guardian empowers maintenance and operations personnel to better assess and respond to changing weather conditions. It also promotes operational efficiencies that reduce winter maintenance operating costs on aspects such as salt, sand, pre-wetting and de-icing chemicals, fuel, overtime and equipment upkeep.
• How does the Guardian contribute to proactive and preventative winter maintenance actions?
  Seasonal variability creates a lot of uncertainty and guesswork, which is complicated by unreliable forecasts where forecasters have no access to real-time road conditions. Accordingly, many winter maintenance operations are purely reactive and there are often lag times before streets are safe once again.
  
  Truly effective operations demand the informed decision making that only meaningful real-time data can deliver. For example, the Guardian can provide you with significant lead time before conditions become slippery. It can also help you to gauge the effectiveness of treatments and actions so that you eliminate guesswork and proactively optimize your winter maintenance operations, resources and budget.
• Does Guardian really improve the accuracy of forecasting?
  Yes. Guardian provides valuable observed road weather data that improves your ability to forecast accurately. For example, the physical process that produces ice on roads is complex and involves the interaction of weather with road surface conditions. Effective anti-icing measures demand a good estimate of the probability of ice formation - and determining that requires the type of hard real-time data that Guardian provides. Forecasts that incorporate road surface specific information are proven to be significantly more reliable and accurate.
• Is an RWIS solution really that beneficial?
  Post deployment surveys of RWIS users indicate that 94% feel that RWIS is beneficial (source Roads & Bridges Magazine).
• Why is it so important to choose an RWIS that measures grip?
  Knowing how slippery the road surface is provides an excellent metric for determining the success of - and need - for winter road maintenance operations. Grip is also the practical metric used by drivers and pedestrians to determine the level of safety offered by roads and sidewalks. In addition to assessing pavement temperature and state, the Guardian's sensors have the unique ability to report on road surface friction and the reduction in grip caused by adverse weather conditions.
• Is the Guardian really virtually maintenance free?
  Yes. While reliability problems and expensive upkeep may be major issues with embedded sensor systems and inferior non-invasive solutions, the Guardian is virtually maintenance-free. Say goodbye to pricey maintenance contracts, outsourced repair technician rates, service trip costs, seasonal evaluations and costly downtime. The Guardian requires only periodic cleaning of its sensor lenses and will even automatically inform you when the lenses are dirty.
• How hard is it to initially set up the Guardian or change its location?
  You can install or relocate your Guardian with ease. It can be conveniently strapped onto existing structures (lighting poles, traffic signals, buildings, etc.) in a quick "do it yourself" procedure with no damage or closures to roadways or bridges. Once mounted, you just hook up power, hit a switch and data starts transmitting via cellular modem.
  
  Accommodating diverse operating environments, the Guardian's sensors can be placed up to 50 ft (15m) from the roadside at a horizontal angle between 30 and 85 degrees.
• How much training will I need to operate the Guardian?
  The Guardian is extremely easy to use and it is ready to go "right out of the box". It is an intuitive, headache-free, convenient and dependable solution that immediately improves operational efficiency without a long learning curve.
• What peripheral software or hardware is required?
  The Guardian's Web display requires no additional software. As long as you have a computer that can access the Internet, you can view your Guardian data 24/7 from anywhere in the world. Due to Vaisala's dedicated data management services, you do not even need to own or operate a server.
• How does the Guardian's automated alarm work?
  Simply set the thresholds and conditions that you feel merit your attention. When the Guardian detects these established road conditions, it automatically sends an alert to your PC, cell phone, PDA or pager (as specified by you).
• What are some of the year round applications of the Guardian?
  The Guardian's ability to assist with winter road maintenance operations is obvious. In addition, the Guardian's water readings can be used to prevent accidents attributed to hydroplaning and reduced braking capacity during periods of rain in warmer months. The Guardian's pavement temperature and moisture readings are also useful when making decisions about other road maintenance initiatives, such as pavement repair, painting, striping and construction.

Improved Safety

• How does the Guardian promote greater safety on the roads and sidewalks?
  Since the Guardian is capable of detecting the first ice crystals that develop on a road, it can provide you with significant lead time before grip even becomes an issue. The system also relays frost and snow information to help you gauge when it is time to plow or treat roads to ensure good traction and prevent accidents.
  
  To further enhance road safety, you can have your sensors trigger variable message signs that warn motorists of hazardous road conditions or control the timing of lights at intersections to better manage vehicular traffic in deteriorating weather. And with Guardian's camera you can always keep an eye on the road when it matters most.

Convenience & Ease of Use

• How can I view real-time conditions and historical reports?
  As long as you have an Internet connection, you can access Guardian's highly accurate data and live camera feed 24/7 from anywhere. The Guardian's secure Web display shows road surface status information in intuitive and easily understandable formats.
• Data management can be a full time job. How does Guardian make it easier?
  We do the job for you. Guardian displays road information securely via the Web and it includes expert data management and archiving services administered by dedicated Vaisala experts. You do not even need to own or maintain your own servers. You can also opt to access shared information with neighboring road maintenance authorities for an increased scope of information
• What if I have questions or need assistance?
  In addition to our usual high level of customer service, the Guardian includes free 24/7 helpdesk support in winter months to answer any questions you might have. Vaisala also employs an internal team of experienced technicians and our service expertise is so valued that we are often hired to maintain the products of other manufacturers.

Environmental

• How is the Guardian part of an environmentally responsible program?
  Soils, vegetation, water and wildlife are all affected by chemicals used for winter road maintenance. It is therefore very important to use them wisely and in moderation.
  
  By providing you with the real-time information you need to accurately gauge the demand for - and effectiveness of - maintenance actions, the Guardian helps you to use the right amount of material and no more. This minimizes waste and limits the use of salt, sand and chemicals that damage the environment and contaminate water supplies. It also helps to minimize the corrosion of pavement, bridges and infrastructures. Additionally, increased operational efficiency streamlines the use of equipment and leads to lower fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

Product & Quality

• Why is the Guardian called a non-invasive solution?
  Before Vaisala introduced the Guardian, road authorities had to permanently implant puck-like sensors into the roadway to benefit from pavement specific weather information. These invasive systems require that you saw cut into pavement, close roads and bridges and reroute traffic. You would also have to abandon these expensive embedded sensors to reposition an in-pavement system or resurface the road.
  
  Conversely, the Guardian was specifically designed for non-contact measurement. Its sensors are easily mounted above or beside roadways - and they are readily movable.
• How does the Guardian work? Are its readings affected by weather or traffic?
  The Guardian uses eye-safe laser spectroscopy and emits infrared wavelengths that gauge critical pavement information during all types of weather. Two independent surface state and temperature sensors measure frost, rain, snow, slush and black ice independently of each other. Precision is unaffected by fog and falling snow and the sensors also feature an algorithm that filters out traffic to ensure excellent performance at all times.
• What are the components of the Guardian?
  The Guardian includes two surface state and temperature sensors and a weather camera. Each unit is housed in rugged weather shielding. The Guardian's remote processing unit resides in a stainless steel, weather-proof cabinet and comes equipped with a cellular modem. The Guardian package also includes data collection and access to a password protected Web display, as well as data management and support services.
• How does the Guardian rank in terms of its quality, reliability and technology?
  The Guardian is manufactured by Vaisala - the world leader in environmental and industrial measurement. Vaisala revolutionized the measurement of road surfaces and no other provider comes close to our level of expertise, reliability and quality assurance. Vaisala invests approximately $30 million annually in research and development and operates the best R&D program, facilities and resources in the industry. We continually improve our capabilities, technology and flexible services at a pace that is simply beyond the reach of our competitors.
  
  Vaisala is also the only company that manufactures all the sensors and remote processing electronics in its road weather systems. With expertise in each RWIS component, we provide complete solutions that ensure smooth integration with your existing technologies.
• Is the Guardian expandable? Can I add additional sensors to measure other environmental factors?
  Yes. The Guardian can be augmented with a full range of atmospheric sensors to measure visibility, the type and intensity of precipitation, barometric pressure, wind speed, wind direction and solar radiation. It can also be used for forecasting, thermal mapping services and more.

About Vaisala

• How does Vaisala compare to other manufacturers?
  Exceeding expectations for almost eight decades, Vaisala is the world's largest manufacturer of weather measurement devices and the global leader in environmental and industrial measurement. Serving over 100 countries, we supply more than 40% of the road weather information systems and services used around the globe today.
  
  Time-tested quality and reliability have made Vaisala the number one partner in mission critical measurement processes and among demanding professionals. We invest approximately $30 million annually in research and development and operate the best R&D program, facilities and resources in the industry. No other provider comes close to our level of expertise, reliability and quality assurance.
• Who else uses Vaisala products?
  Clients who have chosen Vaisala systems and services include NASA; The United States Defense Forces; state and local road authorities (like Maine, Vermont, Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, California, Washington, Ontario and British Columbia - among others); The National Weather Service (NWS); The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); The World Meteorological Organization (WMO); the Meteorological Service of Canada and most of the world's international airports.
• Where are Vaisala's offices situated?
  Vaisala has offices across the United States, Canada, Australia, Finland, Sweden, the UK, France, Germany, China, Japan, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.