Author: Katie Johnson

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New Clear Roads Research: Evaluating high-performance plow blades

Side View of Snow Plow with Green Lights

A variety of factors can affect a snowplow blade’s long-term performance, making it difficult for an agency to determine which blades are the most cost-effective overall.

By developing a field test protocol and cost-benefit analysis methodology, the new research will make it easier for Clear Roads agencies to evaluate and compare blades in the future using the same standard procedures used in this project.

Download the quick reference guide, final report and two-page brief: High Performance Blade Evaluation, January 2023.

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Call for Presentations: 2024 North American Snow Conference

Interested in sharing your knowledge, experience, and vision for the future? Organizers of the 2024 North American Snow Conference are looking for public works professionals with new perspectives, solid best practices or innovative twists to winter maintenance, workforce development, and operations.

The 2024 conference will feature presentations on the following aspects of winter operations: information management, innovative solutions, leadership and workforce solutions, materials application, fleet and equipment management, and planning and operations. Presentations should emphasize practical applications and leading-edge technologies and approaches.

The deadline to submit presentation proposals is August 18, 2023, and the conference will be held April 28 – May 1, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri. The annual conference is hosted by the American Public Works Association.

For more information, visit the conference’s Call for Presentations page.

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New Episodes of SICOP Talks Winter Ops Podcast Available

AASHTO’s SICOP Talks Winter Ops podcast addresses a variety of cutting-edge topics in recent episodes:

Alternative Fuels for Winter Maintenance – Part 1 (Episode 70): A recently completed Clear Roads synthesis project, 21-05: Evaluation of EVT and Alternative Fuels for Winter Operations provided a comprehensive review of fuel alternatives for maintenance fleets. Project champion Justin Droste from Michigan DOT and the project’s research team discuss the findings and the range of factors that transportation agencies should consider. April 6, 2023. Podcast.

TRB International Road Weather and Winter Maintenance Conference (Episode 69): After a pandemic pause, this popular event is scheduled to take place May 9-10 in Washington DC., bringing together maintenance professionals to learn about emerging technologies, new strategies, the latest technology, and current research.  March 13, 2023. Podcast.

Friction – The holy grail of successful winter maintenance (Episode 68): Mark Goldstein, Lead State Snow and Ice Engineer from Massachusetts DOT, discusses advancements in using road friction and grip in winter maintenance. March 8, 2023. Podcast.

Image source: Wisconsin Department of Transportation

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Winter Maintenance at the 2023 TRB Meeting

Clear Roads has prepared a listing of technical sessions and posters related to winter maintenance that were presented at the 2023 Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting. The list includes nearly two dozen papers and posters, with links to presentation materials. The sessions covered a wide range of winter maintenance topics, including materials, equipment, technology and weather.

Download the list: Winter Maintenance at the 2023 TRB Annual Meeting

Note: TRB requires a login to access full papers and presentation materials. If you are having trouble accessing these materials, check with your DOT or other transportation library.

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New Clear Roads RFP: Proposals Due April 7

Clear Roads has posted a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new research project:

pH Waiver for Deicing Products and the Qualified Products List

MnDOT requests responses for a Clear Roads project that will develop guidance to help determine the appropriate pH range for deicing products included on the Clear Roads Qualified Products List (QPL), in particular, those products with a high organic compound content. Products with pH levels that are outside of an acceptable range can be a significant safety risk, leading to corrosion in highway infrastructure and environmental pollution. The goal of this project is to help Clear Roads determine the appropriate pH range for deicing products listed on the QPL. If the research confirms that pH is not the only qualifying factor for some winter maintenance products, particularly those with a low pH associated with organic material, investigators will develop a process to determine risks to highway infrastructure and the environment that are separate from pH, allowing a waiver to be considered.

Learn more at MnDOT’s Professional Technical Consultant Services page. The deadline to submit proposals is Friday, April 7, 2023.

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New Podcast Episodes from SICOP Talks Winter Ops

AASHTO’s SICOP Talks Winter Ops podcast tackles a variety of topics in recent episodes:

Potholes and other leftovers from winter storms (Episode 67): Greg Duncan from Tennessee DOT shares his experiences with potholes and other roadside issues caused by winter weather. February 2023. Podcast.

Implementing Snow and Ice Control Performance Measures (Episode 66): Caleb Dobbins, SICOP Chair from New Hampshire DOT (retired) discusses performance measures and how states can work to make their snow- and ice- related goals a reality. December 2022. Podcast.

Back to School – The Purdue Road School Conference and Expo (Episode 65): In March of this year, more than 2,700 transportation professionals gathered on the Purdue University campus to discuss current research and share best practices. Jeremy McGuffey of Indiana DOT describes the annual event’s 108-year history and its significance within the transportation industry. October 2022. Podcast.

Implementing Something New – Overcoming the Challenges (Episode 64): Craig Bargfrede of Iowa DOT and Jeremy McGuffey with Indiana DOT discuss the challenges and successes their agencies have faced as they put new ideas into practice. August 2022. Podcast.

Image source: Joint Transportation Research Program

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New Clear Roads Synthesis Report: Avoiding Corrosion of Electrical Connectors

A recent Clear Roads synthesis project surveyed state DOTs with winter maintenance programs about their best practices for avoiding corrosion of electrical connectors.

Common agency practices for reducing corrosion include installing a waterproof or weatherproof connector, using dielectric silicone and dielectric grease for sealing connections, and applying a heat shrink tubing to cover the crimped or soldered area where a new terminal meets a wire.

Read the synthesis report: Avoiding Corrosion of Electrical Connectors on Winter Maintenance Equipment, January 2023.

Image source: Clear Roads

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New Clear Roads Research: Maximizing the Value of Vehicle Technology Systems

Using Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technologies throughout the year can help justify the expenses of purchasing and installing them in maintenance vehicles and training staff to use them.

Many AVL/GPS systems have applications that extend beyond winter maintenance practices, increasing the benefits and value of these technologies. This Clear Roads project helps agencies identify opportunities to deploy these systems year-round.

Download the final report and two-page brief: Expanded Use of AVL/GPS Technologies, December 2022.

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New Clear Roads Research: Evaluating Indoor Automated Stockpile Measurement Systems

Many state and local transportation agencies with winter maintenance programs purchase their road salt before the winter season to secure the best prices and assure availability. However, measuring and monitoring the quantity of salt in widely distributed stockpiles—including many sites without regular staff on-site—can be both challenging and time-consuming.

This Clear Roads project examined a range of existing and emerging approaches to measuring indoor stockpiles, including automated and semi-automated systems using LiDAR, photogrammetry, surveying, acoustic sensing, and drone technology.

Download the final report and two-page brief: Evaluation of Indoor Automated Stockpile Measurement Systems, December 2022.