Abstract: A method and system for detecting actual road surface temperature and other conditions from mobile units traveling about roadways and the like throughout a given area and transmitting that detected information, tagged to accurate, corresponding longitude and latitude positional information identifying the location of the detected information and transmitting the resulting information to a base station where the temperature and other information is accurately plotted on a computer-generated map, whereby viewing personnel may determine the effective and efficient dispatching of ice-related material application equipment and personnel.

Abstract: A warning system for vehicles detects actual road surface temperature and advises the driver of surface temperatures which indicate the vehicle may be approaching possible ice formation on roadways. The warning system comprises an infrared detector mounted externally on the vehicle and aimed at the road surface, the detector arranged to read only the infrared temperature wavelength emissions associated with concrete and asphalt to eliminate confusing and erroneous readings inadvertently received through infrared emission from other objects in the vicinity. The detector is connected to a processing unit which translates the electric signals from the detector into a temperature readout display for the driver and the processing unit may include an alarm which is activated to attract the driver's attention when road temperatures are detected that are below a set minimum temperature that is selected by the driver's manual adjustment of a temperature select control knob on the unit.