The North/West Passage multistate coalition was established to enable the member states to explore and address their shared operational challenges, which include responding in extreme weather conditions along the I-90/94 corridor.
In November 2023, the Freight Task Force administered a survey to the trucking industry on questions related to how well the North/West Passage states meet driver needs on the type and timeliness of winter road closure information, the duration of closures, road maintenance in the winter, and other topics. Over 200 responses were received (with 72% identifying as truck drivers) that stated their primary means of gathering road weather information is via 511. The results were presented during an informational web meeting featuring Lewie Pugh, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association; Desiree Wood, REAL Women In Trucking and Truckers Emergency Assistance Responders (T.E.A.R.); and Chris Smith, Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association. The presenters reinforced the need not only for states to provide the most up-to-date information via 511 and other services, but also to not provide information in a vacuum – i.e., in conflict with guidance that may be provided along the same roadways in neighboring states.
The purpose of this project is to assess how information is currently shared and coordinated between North/West Passage states during winter weather closures.
nwpassage.info 