Rain Enhancement Technologies to Test Fog Mitigation Technology at CHP Academy

Rain Enhancement Technologies (RET) has entered into a significant agreement with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to test its fog mitigation technology at a specialized test facility. The one-year partnership, which runs through August 2027, will involve the deployment and monitoring of RET’s FREA (Fog Removal by Electrical Activity) system at the Caltrans Dynamic Test Facility (CDTF) located at the CHP Academy in West Sacramento, California.

The agreement builds on RET’s existing Weather Enhancement Technology Array (WETA) platform, which is known for its ionization-based rainfall and snowpack generation capabilities. This collaboration is aimed at gathering real-world data to refine the FREA technology and enhance highway safety, particularly in areas prone to fog-induced visibility issues.

Fog continues to pose a significant challenge to transportation agencies, leading to reduced visibility on highways and causing delays across various modes of transport. The controlled testing environment provided by the CDTF will allow RET to conduct rigorous assessments of its fog mitigation technology, providing critical operational data that could lead to improved safety measures.

Randy Seidl, CEO of Rain Enhancement Technologies, expressed enthusiasm about the agreement. "This partnership gives us access to a world-class testing facility and an agency that understands the dangers of low-visibility conditions. Fog mitigation is a natural extension of our WETA platform, and this collaboration will allow us to subject the FREA technology to real-world testing."

Sean Duryee, Commissioner of the CHP, highlighted the importance of innovative technologies in enhancing road safety. "Fog and other low-visibility conditions can create serious hazards for motorists. Testing emerging technology in a controlled environment helps us evaluate its potential to improve roadway safety."

Mark Ghilarducci, President of Emergent Global Solutions and an advisor to RET, emphasized the value of public-private partnerships in advancing safety technologies. "Bringing RET and CHP together on this project reflects the kind of collaboration needed to give promising safety technologies a fair and rigorous real-world evaluation."

RET will provide its own equipment, personnel, and insurance coverage for the engagement, and testing activities will be scheduled around CHP Academy training and Caltrans testing priorities. The company expects to share additional details on its fog mitigation program as testing progresses.

Rain Enhancement Technologies was founded with the mission of providing reliable access to water through ionization precipitation generation technology. The company’s fog mitigation efforts are part of its broader weather modification capabilities, aimed at addressing water scarcity challenges and improving water resource management.