Ford Collects Data on Vegetated Roof

BOURNE, Mass.— Onset Computer Corp., announced that Ford Motor Co. has installed its Web-based weather stations on the vegetated roof of its Dearborn, Mich., truck plant.

The roof is covered with 10.4 acres of sedum, a plant life that reduces stormwater runoff. The vegetation also provides insulation, reduces cooling and heating demands and absorbs carbon dioxide.

The two Onset Hobo U30 weather stations monitor soil moisture levels and general rooftop weather conditions and transmit the data to the Internet, where it can be accessed by Ford engineers.
Ford is using the data to verify that the sedum’s ability to reduce stormwater runoff. The data also helps plant personnel maintain the health of the rooftop’s groundcover.

Read more about Ford’s living rooftop in the February issue of MHM. Click here for the story.