Weather-Wise Shipping

Statewide and national leaders meet in the Campus Center on Thursday to discuss how big data can enhance the intersection of weather and transportation.

ALBANY, N.Y. (October 16, 2017) – Imagine you lead the national distribution efforts for a prominent brand like Anheuser-Busch Companies. As you track shipments from your command center, weather can either work with or against you, to ensure your numerous clients expecting shipments to run their business receive an on-time delivery.

But how can you ensure it works with you? By using big data. Working with data helps organizations be predictive and make critical timing decisions based on forecasted weather, or changing route temperature conditions.

These are some of the issues that will be discussed at the inaugural Weather Solutions for Ground Transportation Workshop on Thursday from 8 a.m. -12:30 p.m. in the Campus Center’s Multipurpose Room.

Hosted by the University’s Center of Excellence in Weather Enterprise, Innovate 518, Troy-based entrepreneur consultant firm IGNITEU NY and the NYS Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), the workshop will bring together statewide and national leaders to discuss the intersection of weather and transportation, and how big data can support these endeavors.

“As a comprehensive research university, UAlbany convenes research and industry expertise to address key issues plaguing our communities,” said James Dias, vice president for Research. “Leveraging our strengths in weather, innovation and commercialization, and big data, we are able to support solutions for the communities we serve.”

The workshop offers attendees an opportunity to meet industry professionals while learning about innovative transportation-specific weather solutions. Participants will share ideas, in-depth discussion and innovative solutions to optimize the ground transportation industry by integrating weather-related data, forecasts and trends.

A Morning Packed with Solutions

The workshop will open with remarks from President Havidán Rodríguez, Center for Economic Growth President Andrew Kennedy, and IgniteU NY Program Manager Evan DeGennaro.

The keynote presentation will be given by AccuWeather VP of Innovation and Development Jonathan Porter, followed by a case studies panel featuring TruWeather Solutions, Riskpulse, the NYS Division of Science, Technology and Innovation, AVAIL and IBM. In addition, Spectrum news reporter Terry Stackhouse will moderate a start-up showcase featuring innovative companies, such as ACTASYS, ecolong, Stonewall Defense and TruWeather Solutions, discussing how data solutions improve their business decisions.

The event will culminate with a demonstration on the NYS Mesonet. The initiative unveiled under the leadership of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is led by the University in partnership with the National Weather Service (NWS) and the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES). The mission is to build the nation’s most advanced early warning weather detection system.

As the system nears completion, the Mesonet team continues to collaborate with UAlbany’s Center for Excellence in Weather Enterprise, NWS Weather Forecast Offices and NYS Office of Emergency Management in order to develop effective methods for emergency managers to be better informed, prepared and equipped to make decisions and deploy resources to protect life and property during extreme weather events.

“The workshop will be a catalyst for industry experts and innovative leaders to come together and discuss new and creative ways technology can help increase efficiencies in ground transportation,” said DeGennaro. “This aligns with IgniteU’s mission to support innovation in New York State, and we’re proud to be part of it.”

The workshop is free to attend but space is limited. Register here.

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