Category: Newsletters

Meetings and Events | News | Research Reports | Research in Progress |

Meetings and Events

Snow and Ice Leadership Seminar
The Chicago Metro Chapter of the American Public Works Association will host its 2016 Public Works Snow and Ice Leadership Seminar September 8 in Addison, Illinois. The seminar will include sessions on measuring winter weather, using data for maintenance, winter maintenance on tollways, liability, and other topics. The event is aimed at public works managers, plow operators, winter maintenance contractors, property managers, and facility maintenance staff. Details.

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Mid Canada Snow Conference
The Manitoba Chapter of the Canadian Public Works Association will host the 5th Mid Canada Snow Conference and Trade Show October 12-13 in Winnipeg. The conference will feature an exhibition of materials, equipment, and technology; sessions on salt application and handling, equipment maintenance and management, liability, training, and more topics; a snow plow roadeo, and networking opportunities. Details.

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3rd Annual Alaska Snow Symposium
The Snowfighters Institute will host the 3rd Annual Alaska Snow Symposium in Anchorage September 27. The trade show will feature educational sessions on the trade show floor, as well as four speakers from the Snowfighters Institute and the snow and ice industry. Details.

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Michigan Winter Operations Conference
The Michigan Tech Center for Technology & Training will host the Michigan Winter Operations Conference October 18-19 in Bellaire. The conference will include more than 20 technical presentations, with a series for managers and supervisors and another for operators and mechanics. It will also feature a supplier showcase, with both indoor booths and outdoor equipment displays. Details.

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Managing Winter Operations Workshop
The Ontario Good Roads Association will hold a workshop on managing winter operations October 20 in Mississauga. The workshop will address what to expect at discovery meetings, the pros and cons of both digital and paper recordkeeping, an update on revisions to the Minimum Maintenance Standards, and more. Details.

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10th International Conference on Managing Fatigue
The 10th International Conference on Managing Fatigue will be held March 20-23, 2017, in San Diego, California. The conference focuses on the effects of fatigue in the transportation sector, including topics like measuring fatigue and fatigue risk, effects of fatigue on work accidents/incidents and commuting crashes, fatigue detection and management technologies, and the effect of operator workload on distraction and drowsiness. Details.

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News

$60 Innovation Saves 30 Minutes Per Deicer Fill-Up
A $60 coupler and drain valve developed by an employee is reducing the amount of time it takes Idaho Transportation Department’s northern Idaho Office to refill truck deicer tanks from 40 minutes to 5 minutes or less. The innovation will save thousands of dollars and improve safety and mobility as trucks get back on the road more quickly. The system may also be applicable for other maintenance activities involving liquids, such as herbicide or pesticide spraying. Article.

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Iowa’s Salt Dashboard Helps Garages Use Salt Efficiently
As highlighted in Aurora’s eNews, Iowa DOT’s Salt Dashboard is helping winter maintenance decision makers to efficiently use salt resources. The Dashboard is an automated, web-based tool that compares the amount of salt used by each garage to targets based on salt application rate guidelines, weather information, lane miles and level-of-service expectations. The Dashboard can also provide analysis on a district or statewide level. Since the dashboard was implemented in 2012, Iowa DOT has saved more than $2.7 million on salt annually, in part by using information from the Dashboard. Article.

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Can Tinted Salt Improve Driver Satisfaction?
A Public Works article highlighted efforts made by the Columbus (Ohio) Department of Public Service to continually improve its winter operations. One recent innovation is adding a bright blue but non-staining tint to road salt to help residents identify whether a street has been treated after a winter storm. The agency has also developed the Warrior Watch webpage, which shows residents which streets have been plowed or treated in the previous 72 hours, as well as the priority of each road for treatment. The website is updated every 15 minutes based on information collected by sensors on winter maintenance vehicles. Article.

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MnDOT Plow Simulator Improves Safety
A $700,000 plow simulator, deemed the first of its kind, is brought around Minnesota as part of MnDOT’s training program to help plow drivers navigate a variety of scenarios. The simulator can replicate situations like blizzards, low-hanging power lines, or snow piles that conceal parked cars. Plow operators report that the simulator controls match the feel of trucks closely, and the simulator’s screens in front of and to the sides of the driver with 3-D effects make it feel real. Article.

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APWA Names Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Award Winners
The American Public Works Association presented its 2016 Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Awards at its North American Snow Conference in May. The winners were the City of Longmont, Colorado, Department of Public Works and Natural Resources; the Village of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Public Works Department; and the Town of Orangetown, New York, Highway Department. The awards recognize excellence in management and administration of public works snow and ice operations and best practices in snow and ice removal while minimizing environmental impacts. Details.

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Ottawa Rejects Changes to Snow Plowing Standards
Ottawa’s transportation committee rejected a recommended change to the city’s plowing standards that would cause it to wait until 10 centimeters of snow have accumulated on residential streets before plowing. Ottawa currently has a seven-centimeter threshold for residential plowing, although most Canadian cities use the 10-centimeter standard. The proposal came from consultants KMPG, which Ottawa hired to review standards after four years of winter maintenance deficits. The switch was expected to save $1 million annually, but there were concerns about lack of consultation with the public and winter maintenance staff. Article.

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Research Reports

Annual Survey of State Winter Maintenance Data
Clear Roads project
Clear Roads has released the first set of data from a multi-year project to systematically gather, compile and analyze data from state DOTs related to winter maintenance operations. The data can be displayed in table form or on an interactive map where users can select the specific pieces of data they wish to compare by state. Clear Roads plans to conduct the survey annually and update the dataset as more information is collected. Report.

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Evaluation of Cost Effective Protective Coatings for ODOT Snow & Ice Equipment
Ohio DOT Report 2016/11
Corrosion is a serious problem that results in more than $220 billion in losses nationwide every year. Winter maintenance equipment is particularly susceptible to corrosion as it is regularly exposed to corrosive deicing agents. Protective coatings may increase equipment lifetime and decrease maintenance costs, but there is limited data available about their effectiveness. This project conducted laboratory and field tests and a cost-benefit analysis to identify cost-effective coating systems. A draft standard based on the results recommends either Raptor or LCCOAT as a protective coating. Report.

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Bio-based Renewable Additives for Anti-icing Applications (Phase I)
Center for Environmentally Sustainable Transportation in Cold Climates report
This project evaluated the performance and impacts of several mixes of dandelion extract, sugar beet extract, sodium metasilicate and sodium formate as additives to salt brine used in anti-icing applications. These additives are intended to minimize the brine’s impact on pavements, toxicity to aquatic life, and corrosivity to metals while improving ice-melting capacity. A water-based solution of 3% sugar beet extract, 0.67% sodium metasilicate, and 23% salt was selected as the best-performing anti-icer, but it had worse anticorrosion properties than other mixes tested. Report.

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Ensuring Accuracy of Roadway Surface Condition Sensors
California Department of Transportation Preliminary Investigation
Road Weather Information Systems use a variety of sensors to measure environmental and roadway conditions. It is difficult to verify the accuracy of roadway sensors in the field, however, so this verification is rarely done. This project conducted a literature review and interviews with experts and practitioners to identify methods of verifying the accuracy of sensors embedded in the roadway. Several sources suggested a trend away from in-pavement sensors toward mobile or remote sensors, and the use of multiple data sources to confirm accuracy. Report.

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Research in Progress

Identification and Recommendations for Correction of Equipment Factors Causing Fatigue in Snowplow Operators
Operator fatigue is a significant problem in winter maintenance, contributing to increased accident rates, lower productivity, and operator health issues. A recent Clear Roads study investigated the environmental factors that contribute to fatigue among snowplow operators. This related study will investigate equipment-related factors within the cab of winter maintenance vehicles that contribute to fatigue, with a focus on identifying and mitigating those factors. Abstract.

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Self-Deicing LED Signal for Railroad and Highway Intersections
This project, part of TRB’s Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) program, will develop and demonstrate a new type of self-deicing LED signal for highway and railroad intersections as replacement for existing LED signal lights that are too cool to deice or melt snow and may cause accidents in snowy conditions. The work is being carried out in three stages: a laboratory investigation that will develop prototypes in red, green, and yellow; outdoor testing to ensure the prototypes meet performance requirements; and field testing on signalized intersections and rail track sections. Abstract.

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Self-Deicing LED Signals
This pooled fund study led by the Kansas Department of Transportation will develop and validate multiple prototypes of a new type of self-deicing LED signal. The prototypes will be based on the “Heated Lens Lighting Arrangement” concept tested and patented in 2014. Abstract.

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Phase I: Developing the NDOR Winter Severity Index to Improve Safety and Mobility
Like many states, Nebraska uses primarily qualitative measures to evaluate the success of its winter maintenance activities. Weather is inherently variable and uncontrollable, so an important first step in quantitatively evaluating winter maintenance is to create an index to compare the severity of individual storms. This project will analyze the winter severity indexing procedures in other states as a preliminary step in developing an index for Nebraska. Abstract.

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Meetings and Events | News | Research Reports | Research in Progress |

Meetings and Events

Pacific Northwest Snowfighters 2016 Conference
Pacific Northwest Snowfighters will host its 2016 conference in Portland, Oregon, June 7-8. The conference will feature multiple educational tracks with sessions on deicing agents, best management practices, and information technology. The exhibit hall will offer winter maintenance products, technology and equipment, and attendees will have the opportunity to try a snow plow training simulator. Details.

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SIMA Snow & Ice Symposium
The Snow & Ice Management Association will host the 19th Annual Snow & Ice Symposium in Providence, Rhode Island, June 22-24. The symposium will feature more than 20 concurrent educational sessions, as well as in-depth workshops, keynote speeches, and networking events. The event will also include a two-day trade show. Details.

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AASHTO Subcommittee on Maintenance Annual Meeting
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Subcommittee on Maintenance will hold its annual meeting July 17-21 in Las Vegas. The meeting will include program updates, technical working group breakout sessions, and a general session on connected and autonomous vehicles in maintenance. AASHTO’s Snow and Ice Pooled Fund Cooperative Program will hold a pre-conference meeting July 16. Details.

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News

Michigan Implements New Wing Plow Lighting System
Michigan DOT has started using wing plows in the Upper Peninsula, but there were initially intersections, passing lanes and business entrances where they could not be used because of concerns about visibility to motorists. Workers at MDOT’s L’Anse Maintenance Facility recently developed an improved lighting system that extends and retracts with the wing plow blade to alert drivers. The “Superior Stick” has been implemented on all MDOT trucks with wing plows in MDOT’s Superior Region, with further implementation on state and county vehicles expected. Details.

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Minnesota Pilots Snowplow Driver-Assist System
Minnesota DOT’s District 7 is piloting a snowplow driver-assist system that will help operators see road alignments and features in blowing snow and fog conditions that can reduce visibility to zero. The driver-assist system uses GPS technology and a front-mounted radar to provide the operator with an image of the road and any obstacles on it, and vibrate the operator’s seat if the plow gets too close to a roadway’s centerline or fog line. In one blizzard, the system was used to help safely clear a path so state troopers could rescue drivers from about fifteen stranded vehicles. The system was developed over 20 years through MnDOT-funded research projects. Details.

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Salt-Door Stop Regulates Salt Flow
Mechanics at Michigan DOT’s Southwest Region have developed a plow truck salt-door stop to regulate salt flow. The stop is a stainless steel bar set to a calibrated height that maintains a constant flow rate to ultimately reduce salt use and save money. The Southwest Region has installed the $22 stops on its entire 80-truck fleet, and MDOT plans to install them statewide by next winter. Details.

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MDOT System Reduces Salt Scatter
Michigan DOT’s L’Anse Maintenance Facility has developed a system that reduces salt bouncing and scattering by releasing it under the rear wheel of the plow. Facility staff report testing the system at 50 miles per hour with no deicer bounce or scatter. Prototypes of the system are in use on state and county roads. Details.

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Research Reports

Understanding the Effectiveness of Non-Chloride Liquid Agricultural By-Products and Solid Complex Chloride/Mineral Products Used in Snow and Ice Control Operations
Clear Roads Project 13-02
Many new deicing and anti-icing agents based on agricultural by-products and complex chloride mineral blends have been introduced to the market in recent years. This project conducted several laboratory tests to assess the effectiveness of ten commercially available complex chloride mineral and agricultural products The agriculturally derived products reduced the freezing point of water better than salt brine, stayed on pavement longer than salt brine alone, and produced less corrosion. Report.

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Using Mechanical Ice Breakers to Improve Snow and Ice Removal Operations
California DOT Report
Caltrans is aggressively pursuing a plan to reduce or eliminate the use of salt as a primary deicing agent and substitute environmentally safe methods of ice prevention and removal. This project assessed how mechanical icebreaker technologies, including penetrating drum attachments, multi-blade plow technology, special purpose ice-cutting blades, optimum ice-cutting blade angles, and underbody truck scraper attachments, could potentially evolve into ice removal or prevention tools. Specific technologies that are compatible with Caltrans’ current winter operations include segmented flexible blades and serrated expendable cutting edges. Report.

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Implementation and Analysis of Snow Removal Wash Water Reuse Research
Ohio DOT Report 2016/3
In an effort to identify cost-effective, environmentally sustainable strategies to manage winter maintenance truck wash water, this project evaluated the feasibility of providing equipment and training to conduct wash water screening and evaluation to ODOT garages that do not have access to a sanitary sewer for wash water disposal. The garages measured total dissolved solids, pH, and turbidity of wash water samples during the 2014-15 winter season and followed previously developed classification models to classify it for reuse or disposal. The analysis supports off-site disposal for facilities without sewer access. Report.

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Winter Maintenance Performance Measure
Colorado DOT Report 2016-02
The Idaho Transportation Department’s Winter Performance Index combines data collected by road weather information systems about weather conditions, traffic mobility, and winter maintenance activities to evaluate the effectiveness of winter maintenance operations. This project implemented the Index in Colorado’s Region 4 in the 2014-15 winter season to evaluate its potential for use throughout the state. The test demonstrated that the Index provides enough information to understand both individual event performance and network-level details. Report.

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Use of Travel Time, Travel Time Reliability, and Winter Condition Index Information for Improved Operation of Rural Interstates
Mountain-Plains Consortium Report 15-295
This project developed a methodology for using travel times in rural areas calculated by intelligent transportation system methodology in Wyoming’s road and weather condition reporting system. Researchers compared travel times calculated by speed sensors with times calculated by Bluetooth sensors and created a travel time index for I-80 between Cheyenne and Laramie. They then modeled the travel time index based on weather data collected by RWIS stations and developed a methodology to implement and evaluate the travel time reporting procedure. Report.

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Snow Route Optimization
Colorado DOT Report 2016-01
This project examined winter service practices in Colorado’s Region 4 to provide recommendations to improve snow removal efficiency, and investigate whether routes can be reduced without compromising levels of service. Recommendations include a simplified level of service classification system, a review and potential implementation of anti-icing measures, route optimization, analysis of intersection plowing to eliminate windrows, cooperation between agencies so that routes can be optimized without concern for political boundaries, use of larger trucks that have greater material capacity, the use of a single system for mobile weather monitoring, minimizing unscheduled callouts and implementation of a driver warning system to alert drivers of snow removal work ahead. Report.

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2015 Road Weather Management Performance Measures Survey, Analysis and Report
FHWA Publication FHWA-HOP-16-001
FHWA’s Road Weather Management Program established a set of performance measures as goals for helping state and local agencies improve performance of the transportation system during adverse weather conditions under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), and began collecting data to assess progress toward meeting those goals. This report updates previous assessments of the program released in 2009 and 2012. Based on a survey of states with responses from 40 DOTs, seven performance measures were added in 2015. Report.

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Research In Progress

Using Operational Data to Access Mobility and Crash Experience During Winter Weather Conditions
Historically, the effectiveness of winter maintenance practices on safety and mobility has been difficult to systematically quantify. Recent expansion of fixed and mobile sensors and other data collection and archive practices, however, may make performance assessment more feasible. This project will investigate and identify potential applications of expanded data in Iowa, with an emphasis on performance measurement and assessment. Project Description.

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Meetings and Events

Webinar on European Winter Maintenance Practices
The Transportation Research Board will hold a webinar February 29 at 2 pm Eastern Time examining how transportation organizations in Europe deal with winter maintenance challenges in their countries. Specific topics that will be addressed are managing winter service in Scotland’s unpredictable climate, winter maintenance chemicals and application strategies used in Norway, and new methods for slush removal. Details.

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International Conference and Workshop on Winter Maintenance and Surface Transportation Weather
The Transportation Research Board’s Committees on Winter Maintenance and Surface Transportation Weather are organizing a joint conference of the Ninth International Symposium on Snow Removal and Ice Control Technology and the Sixth National Conference on Surface Transportation Weather. The conference will be held online, with presentations recorded in February 2016 and available on-demand after. An in-person workshop will be held in Fort Collins, Colorado April 25-27. Details.

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North American Snow Conference
The American Public Works Association will hold the 2016 North American Snow Conference May 22-25 in Hartford, Connecticut. More than 1,500 snow fighters are expected to attend the event, which will include an exhibit floor with expanded hours over previous years, educational programs, technical tours, networking opportunities and the Exhibitor Solutions Theater—technical sessions presented by exhibitors to show how their technologies or services address snowfighting needs. Details.

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PWX Public Works Expo
The American Public Works Association will rebrand its International Public Works Congress and Exposition as PWX at its next meeting in Minneapolis August 28-31. APWA says the Expo will include more technology, cater to a variety of learning styles, and encourage cross-generational dialogue to engage all generations in the public works profession. The meeting will include more than 125 technical and professional development sessions, a 90,000-square-foot exhibit floor, additional interviews with session speakers, and a variety of networking opportunities. Details.

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News

Pew Charitable Trusts Reviews State Snowfighting Efforts
The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Stateline newsletter highlighted how states are taking a proactive approach to their snowfighting efforts. The report discussed innovative technologies, including road weather information systems, sophisticated material tracking systems, plow-tracking networks, and efforts to reduce the amount of deicers used by applying them efficiently. Details.

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Michigan Tests GPS Plow Trackers
Michigan DOT has installed GPS trackers on about 80 snowplows in its Southwest region as a test of the technology. The trackers will allow residents to view where the trucks are on the state’s Mi Drive travel information website. The DOT anticipates that information will help give motorists better information about road conditions and help to better manage plowing operations. Details.

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Iowa Upgrades GPS/AVL System
After a small test last year, Iowa DOT is upgrading the GPS/AVL system on 520 of its more than 900 snowplows this year. Data from the trucks had previously been transmitted to the garage via a cellular connection, but some areas had unreliable connections. The new system will turn the trucks into Wi-Fi hotspots that rely on a different cellular provider, which improved reliability in tests. IDOT’s plow camera data will also be carried by the GPS/AVL cellular provider, which the state hopes will reduce costs over having a separate provider for it. Details.

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Agencies Consider New Plow Light Colors
Saskatchewan added blue flashing lights to its snowplows, beginning in January, according to a CBC News report. Saskatchewan requires drivers to slow to 60 kilometers per hour when near snowplowing operations. The blue lights are intended to reduce confusion about whether a plow is actively clearing snow or just driving. Plows previously used amber lights as “over width” indicators. They will continue to use amber lights when the plows are driving, but flashing blue lights will indicate that plowing is taking place. The Associated Press reported that Idaho changed the rear lights on its snowplows from flashing yellow to flashing red three years ago. The Idaho Transportation Department said that change has reduced the number of collisions when motorists hit plows from behind. Details: Saskatchewan. Idaho.

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Nevada Installs Automated Deicer Sprayer
A KOLO-TV report highlighted automatic deicer sprayers that NDOT has installed on four bridges on I-580 between Reno and Carson City. The system relies on atmospheric and road sensors that will automatically spray deicers under appropriate conditions. NDOT says the system is more efficient than calling out a snowplow to apply deicers, and that the technology has been proven to reduce accidents. Details.

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Illinois Village Creates Plow Ride-Along Program
Hampshire, Illinois, has created a program in which village residents over 18 can ride along with a snowplow driver during a winter storm. The Village hopes that the program will provide positive outreach for residents to better understand what plow drivers do. It is modeled on a similar program in Kane County, Illinois. All participants need to be approved by the village streets supervisor, obey several safety rules, and attend an orientation. Details.

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Iowa Tests Slick Road Sensor
Iowa DOT is believed to be conducting the first U.S. test of the PATeye warning system, a small sensor that alerts drivers with a blue flashing light if ice is forming on pavement. IDOT has installed two of the sensors in one of its parking lots in Ames, according to a KCCI-TV report. The sensors are intended to activate the lights when the temperature is below 32 degrees and there is moisture present. In initial tests, the lights have flashed too often, including when there is no water that could form ice, although development is continuing. Details.

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Research Reports

Roadway Salt Best Management Practices
Clear Roads Report 14-10
This project developed an easy-to-use guide to best management practices in the procurement, storage, and application of road salt. Each best management practice is described on a single page, front and back, so it can be separated from the manual and shared with relevant personnel or placed in a break room so staff can review and consider it in easily digestible chunks. Report.

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Road Weather Severity Based on Environmental Energy
Joint Transportation Research Program Report 2015/13
Indiana DOT currently uses estimates of winter weather hours to quantify the severity of winter weather. However, this definition does not take into account factors such as precipitation rate, wind speed, and availability of sunshine that can affect road conditions and the effort needed for treatment. This project developed The Road Weather Severity Based on Environmental Energy index to evaluate the amount of energy necessary to clear roads, in order to more accurately and effectively evaluate winter maintenance performance. Report.

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Automatically Measuring Traffic Recovery Times After Snowstorms
Minnesota DOT Report 2015-44
Performance of winter maintenance operations in Minnesota and most other states is generally measured by “time to bare pavement”—the length of time between the end of the storm and the road being clear of snow and ice. Visual observation is the typical method for determining this, but it introduces the potential for error or lag time in reporting. This project developed a process to calculate the normal condition regain time, an alternative performance measure based on the observed relationship between traffic speed and traffic density. Researchers also developed prototype software to calculate the normal condition regain time automatically based on data collected by loop detectors. Preliminary tests suggest that this method would have a higher level of accuracy than manual observation. Report.

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Performance Evaluation of Snow and Ice Plows
Illinois DOT Report ICT-15-007
This project investigated the performance of several common types of plow blades. The project involved a literature review, synthesis of best practices in snow and ice plowing operations, development of a blade performance evaluation procedure, field tests of stresses using an instrumented snow plow, and development of finite element models to develop a performance database. Plow stresses generally do not exceed 10,000 psi, but were higher when plowing concrete pavements than asphalt pavements. Use of the blade-saver option was found to reduce stresses in the plow and on the carrier structure. Report.

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Development of ADOT Application Rate Guidelines for Winter Storm Management of Chemical Additives through an Ambient Monitoring System
Arizona DOT Report 15-691
Arizona DOT’s Winter Storm Management Operations Manual presents guidelines for the application of anti-icing and deicing agents based on specific storm events and roadway conditions. This project evaluated the relationship between salt application and sodium and chloride concentrations in soil and vegetation, based on Arizona DOT data. Analyses found no evidence that sodium concentrations in soil exceed levels considered tolerable for vegetation, nor any evidence that sodium concentrations in soil had a significant impact on the level of sodium in vegetation. As a result, researchers suggest there is no evidence to suggest changes to the state’s current deicer or anti-icer application rate guidelines. Report.

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Effective Use and Application of Winter Roadway Maintenance Materials Enhancers
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Report 2015-009
This project evaluated the performance and environmental impacts of four winter maintenance additives: AquaSalina, BEET HEET, GreenBlast, and Magic Minus Zero. The top performers were, in order, AquaSalina, GreenBlast, and Magic Minus Zero, although considering product cost the best value was Magic Minus Zero, followed by AquaSalina and GreenBlast. Based on chemical analysis and toxicity testing none of the products were expected to have significant negative environmental impacts, although special consideration may be needed for very small watersheds or watershed with existing water quality issues. Report.

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Assessing the Use of Shrub-Willows for Living Snow Fences in Minnesota
Minnesota DOT Report 2015-46
Shrub-willows have been successfully implemented as living snow fences in several states, with the potential of increasing participation in living snow fence programs because they are increasingly marketed as a biomass product for bioenergy production. This project tested different designs of willow living snow fences in Minnesota to evaluate their ability to trap snow, their growth, the cost of planting and the viability of biomass harvest. Researchers found that willows performed well as living snow fences, with the potential of trapping blowing snow within three or four years of planting, although harvesting for biomass may be appropriate only in very long transportation corridors. Report.

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Trials of the Longevity of Brine and Pre-Wetted Salt on Typical UK Road Surfacings
Transport Research Laboratory Report PPR757
This study evaluated how long salt brine and pre-wetted salt stayed on Scottish roadways. Salt brine showed better longevity than pre-wetted salt on hot rolled asphalt. On UK specification Proprietary Thin Surfacing (a surface similar to stone mastic asphalt), salt loss levels appeared to be equivalent for brine and pre-wetted salt. The data set was not large enough to extrapolate predictions of performance over a full winter season, however. Report. (registration required).

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Winter Highway Maintenance Operations: Connecticut
Connecticut DOT Report
This report analyzed the corrosive effects of deicing agents on Connecticut snow and ice equipment vehicles, state roadway infrastructure and the environment. It determined that literature had not documented the benefits of corrosion inhibitors in reducing corrosion to vehicles. The research also found mixed results as to the effectiveness of salt-neutralizing wash additives. To protect infrastructure, it recommended a program including low-permeability concretes for new bridge decks, use of sealers and crack sealers, proper concrete curing, a steel bridge painting program, bridge cleaning and corrosion-resistant bridge design. Report.

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News

Pennsylvania DOT to Install AVL on Plows
A pilot Pennsylvania DOT program will implement an automated vehicle location system on 516 PennDOT plow trucks and 212 contracted rental trucks. By providing real-time information about vehicle movement, plow route coverage and material usage, PennDOT expects the AVL technology to save $1.4 million over the next four to six years by reducing salt usage and improving the use of department equipment. The pilot is part of Pennsylvania’s GO-TIME initiative, which seeks to modernize state government operations and encourage inter-agency coordination and collaboration. Details.

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APWA Reporter Winter Maintenance Issue
The October 2015 issue of the APWA Reporter focuses on winter maintenance, with several articles of interest to snowfighters. Relevant features include articles on communicating with employees and the public, a report on the Snow and Ice Cooperative Pooled Fund’s top components to a world-class winter maintenance program, resource management, salt usage reduction and the challenges of implementing new winter maintenance practices. Issue.

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Roads & Bridges Winter Maintenance Supplement
Roads & Bridges has published a supplement dedicated to winter maintenance. Articles in the supplement address a peer exchange program between West Des Moines, Iowa, and Fargo, North Dakota, in which the agencies exchanged personnel for a week; customizing salt brine blends for anti-icing applications; snowfighting in Alaska; storm model development in Ohio; and a report on Clear Roads’ Snow and Ice Control Environmental Best Practices Manual. Issue.

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Spring-Loaded Plows Tested in New York
The communities of Lake George and Hague, New York, will test the “live edge” plow in an effort to reduce salt usage this winter. The plows, provided by manufacturer Metal Pless Inc., use spring-loaded plates to adjust to unevenness in the road to remove more snow than conventional plows. The S.A.V.E. Lake George Partnership, a group advocating reduced salt usage that hosted a Salt Summit in September, hopes the live edge plows will reduce salt application by up to 40%. Details.

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Boston Plans Change after Historic Winter
Boston’s Public Works Department has outlined lessons learned from last year’s winter, which saw more than 100 inches of snowfall on the city and the creation of a 75-foot snow farm that didn’t fully melt until July. The city will have more, smaller snow piles to store snow cleared from streets, and the city has purchased two snow loader/blowers to help carry snow away from streets. They also plan to focus communication efforts on telling the public about the work that is about to happen, rather than work that already occurred. Details.

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Budget Cuts Reduce Alaska Winter Road Clearance
A 12.4 percent reduction in the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities budget due to falling oil prices will force the state to reduce its winter maintenance activities this winter. The agency has issued an interactive map to provide information about roadway priorities, with estimates of the length of time it will take to clear state-maintained roads after a storm. Several roads have been added to the list of routes that will not be maintained, including the Nome road system and the road to Yakutat. Details.

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Missing Maryland Plow Blades Result in Upgraded Security
Twenty three snowplow blades have been missing since June in a possible theft from the Maryland State Highway Administration’s Glen Burnie maintenance shop. The state has been upgrading inventory control processes since March. Since the blades went missing, the agency has upgraded security at maintenance facilities by restricting key card access and limiting access after hours.  The agency says it has enough blades and equipment for operations through the 2015-16 season. Details.

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Research Reports

Estimation of Winter Snow Operation Performance Measures with Traffic-Flow Data, Phase 2
MnDOT Report 2015-44
Bare-lane regain times are currently the primary measure of winter maintenance performance. Bare-lane regain time is determined by visual inspection, which is inherently subjective and imprecise, as observers cannot be in all places at all times and roads may regain bare pavement conditions before the road can be observed. This project proposed an alternative measure of performance, normal condition regain time, generated automatically using traffic flow data. Initial tests showed promise for normal condition regain time measures to be used as reliable operational measures. Report.

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Planning a Road Weather Information System with GIS
Journal of Modern Transportation, May 2015
Traditional practices of siting RWIS stations rely heavily on the experience of maintenance and operation personnel, which is time-consuming and subjective. This study developed a model to optimize RWIS station locations based on three criteria: weather, traffic conditions, and distance to existing RWIS sites. It also considered practical constraints such as relative importance of weather and traffic factors or available budgets. A case study demonstrates the application of the proposed station siting methodology. Report.

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Investigate Plow Blade Optimization
Ohio DOT Report 2015/24
Ohio DOT currently uses flame-hardened steel blades on its snowplows. However, there are multiple blades currently on the market that may offer longer lifespans. This project evaluated several blade options, including different configurations of flame-hardened steel, carbide-tipped, Joma, PolarFlex, and BlockBuster XL Classic, using video and blade measurements to collect data. Carbide and the XL Classic blade both produced savings after one year. After two years, most blades reduced costs, with PolarFlex blades producing a cost savings of $778 per blade, while the XL Classic saved $302 per blade. Report.

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Investigation of the Performance of Backing Cameras on NHDOT Maintenance Vehicles
New Hampshire DOT Report 15680A
This project evaluated the trial use of backing cameras on New Hampshire DOT maintenance vehicles, including plows, as a tool for minimizing backing accidents by eliminating blind spots. Seven vehicles were equipped with cameras, and drivers were interviewed after a year of use. Most drivers considered the cameras a useful safety tool, although improvements to mounting positions for cameras and monitors were recommended. Details.

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Citizen Reporting of Current Road Conditions
FHWA Road Weather Management
This report summarizes the experiences of five state departments of transportation—Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Iowa, and Minnesota—in implementing citizen reporting systems for road conditions during winter snow and ice events. The reviewed DOTs were motivated to start citizen reporting programs due to the need for timelier, more accurate road condition information. Issues discovered include departmental and administrative resistance to citizen reporting, inconsistent reporting frequency, lack of reporting in rural areas, and lag between observation and reporting that is necessary to prevent distracted driving. Beneficial outcomes include more current information, improved trustworthiness and quality of information, and the empowerment of the public. Report.

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Permeable Pavements in Cold Climates: State of the Art and Cold Climate Case Studies
Minnesota DOT Report 2015-30
This project provides a review of permeable pavement technologies, including full-depth permeable pavements, porous asphalt, pervious concrete, and permeable interlocking concrete pavements. Chapter 5 discusses maintenance needs for permeable pavements, particularly to avoid clogging the pavement, which can reduce infiltration rates to unacceptable levels. Permeable pavements tend to require less salt than other types of pavements to produce a bare roadway, and sanding is not recommended. Washing and vacuum sweeping are effective methods of restoring the infiltration capacity of clogged permeable pavements. Report.

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Climate Change, Extreme Weather Events, and the Highway System: Practitioner’s Guide and Research Report
NCHRP Report 750, Volume 2
This report provides guidance on strategies for adapting to the likely impacts of climate change in planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure in the United States through 2050. Climate models tend to project wetter but warmer winters across most of the United States, which may reduce winter maintenance costs. Individual storms may be bigger, however, and the Midwest and Northeast are projected to have higher winter precipitation levels. The report includes overviews of adaption strategies from local, state, and national agencies. Report.

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Research in Progress

Quantifying the Impact New Capital Projects Will Have on Roadway Snow and Ice Control Operations
New capital projects increase the time and money required to complete roadway snow and ice control operations. This increased winter maintenance burden is rarely quantified and often is not considered during the early stages of the capital project development process. This project will develop an automated method of quantifying the impact new capital projects will have on roadway snow and ice control costs. Project Description.

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Improving Traffic Safety through Better Snow Fences: Image-Based Methods to Measure Trapped Snow Volume and the Snow Relocation Coefficient
Structural or living snow fences are one common method of mitigating snow drift on road ways. Designing snow fences relies on empirical equations, particularly for estimating the snow relocation coefficient (SRC), that do not necessarily apply to Midwestern states. This project will develop an image-based method to measure the SRC directly in the field under various conditions. It will also allow measurement of the temporal evolution of the volume of snow a fence retains. Abstract.

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Prototype Development of a Piezo-heating Array for Deicing Applications on Bridges
This project will produce a proof-of-concept prototype of a technology to harness and store energy from truck traffic to help mitigate winter conditions. The prototype will consist of a scaled model of a bridge and its approach slab with a piezo-electric array linked and tied to a battery that can trigger a heating element to melt an inch of snow or a moderate amount of ice. Abstract.

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Guidelines to Incorporate the Costs and Benefits of Adaptation Measures in Preparation for Extreme Weather Events and Climate Change
Extreme weather events and a changing climate can produce significant costs to transportation agencies, communities and the traveling public. This research will help to improve understanding of the costs and benefits of adaptation measures to prepare for extreme weather events and climate change. This should provide guidance to help transportation decision-makers make better long-term decisions based on a holistic analysis. Project Description.

Meetings and Events

National Winter Maintenance Peer Exchange
In collaboration with the Aurora pooled fund and the AASHTO Snow and Ice Pooled Fund Cooperative Program, Clear Roads will host the fifth National Winter Maintenance Peer Exchange September 23–25, in Bloomington, Minnesota. The peer exchange, held every two years, offers winter maintenance professionals from the three sponsoring organizations, and invited guests and vendors, an opportunity to share information, learn about current efforts and new technologies, and generate new research ideas and initiatives. Work continues on 158 research problem statements developed at previous exchanges. Details.

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Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting
The Transportation Research Board will hold its 95th Annual Meeting January 10–14, 2016, in Washington, D.C. The meeting is expected to attract more than 12,000 transportation professionals from around the world. It will include spotlight sessions, workshops and discussions on all aspects of transportation research and its deployment. After the meeting, Clear Roads will compile a listing of papers presented that are related to winter maintenance. Details.

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International Conference and Workshop on Winter Maintenance and Surface Transportation Weather
The Transportation Research Board’s Committees on Winter Maintenance and Surface Transportation Weather are organizing a joint conference of the Ninth International Symposium on Snow Removal and Ice Control Technology and the Sixth National Conference on Surface Transportation Weather. The conference will be held online, with presentations recorded in February 2016 and available on-demand after. An in-person workshop will be held in Colorado in April 2016. The Conference is accepting submissions through September 1. Details.

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News

Three Cities Win APWA Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Award
Columbus, Ohio; Lenexa, Kansas; and Waconia, Minnesota received the American Public Works Association’s Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Award at the 2015 APWA North American Snow Conference in April. Columbus was recognized for its snow and ice control plan, while Lenexa constructed two salt storage facilities that greatly increased capacity and reduced the need to replenish salt during major storms. Waconia made significant changes to its winter maintenance practices to reduce chloride use, and created a “Green Fleet Team” to discuss equipment needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Download APWA Reporter for details; see page 8.

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Ontario Develops New Winter Maintenance Plan
The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario has released a new action plan for winter maintenance in response to the Auditor General’s Special Report on Winter Highway Maintenance. The plan addresses eight recommendations made by the Auditor General related to equipment, materials, road condition reporting and contracting. MTO says that the plan includes immediate actions that will be in place during the 2015-16 winter season to improve winter maintenance. Details.

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Colorado’s I-70 Maintenance Improves Performance
Congestion on I-70 west of Denver costs an estimated $1 billion annually. Colorado DOT started a three-part strategy last year to reduce delays, including the widening of tunnels near Idaho springs, $8 million in operational investments including additional plow drivers and snowplow escorts approaching the Eisenhower Tunnel west of Denver, and a public education campaign about safe winter traveling. CDOT said that these efforts, as well as a partnership with the Colorado State Patrol, resulted in a 46 percent decrease in weather-related crashes and a 16 percent decrease in time lost due to unplanned highway closures. Details.

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Boston’s Snow Journal Wins GIS Award
Snow Journal, a story map that tells how Boston reacted to four major snowstorms and seven feet of snow between January 26 and February 18 this year, won the grand prize and first place in the Infrastructure/Planning/Government category of the Esri Storytelling with Maps contest. Snow Journal originally appeared on Boston’s website to show emergency parking information, reconfigured traffic patterns, alternative parking garages, information about the district yards where snow removal equipment is stored, and catch basins that need to be kept clear. Details.

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Research Reports

Best Practices for the Prevention of Corrosion to DOT Equipment: A User’s Manual
Clear Roads Report 13-04
Corrosion to winter maintenance equipment due to chloride deicers is a serious problem for transportation agencies throughout cold-weather regions in North America. While there are many products that promise to reduce corrosion and extensive anecdotal guidance available, this project developed a consolidated guide to current knowledge related to corrosion prevention for winter maintenance professionals. The guide offers detailed information about the types and causes of corrosion and specific practices for preventing and treating corrosion on winter maintenance equipment. Report.

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Optimization of Salt Storage for County Garage Facilities
Ohio DOT Report 2015/10
Ohio DOT has identified two issues with salt storage at county garage facilities: the inability to maximize salt storage in dome structures and the inability to accurately inventory salt using visual estimates. This project investigated ODOT’s current salt storage practices and evaluated improvements that were made. Investigators found that a diesel conveyor with a 6-ton hopper and acoustic scanner system outperformed a power take-off conveyor in four different loading setups. Report.

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Effect of Video Camera-Based Remote Roadway Condition Monitoring on Snow Removal-Related Maintenance Operations
Aurora Project 2012-03
Utah DOT has implemented a remote monitoring camera system for snow removal-related maintenance operations. The study evaluated the system’s effectiveness through surveys of maintenance station supervisors and analysis of snow removal-related maintenance costs. Station supervisors rated overall effectiveness of the system at 4.3 out of 5 (most effective). The cost analysis found that stations with cameras reduced expedition costs to determine whether snow removal was necessary by 14 percent. Report.

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Web-Based Preventative Blowing and Drifting Snow Control Calculator Decision Tool
Minnesota DOT Report 2015-21
Standing corn rows, living or structural snow fences, or highway grading are techniques that can reduce problems with blowing and drifting snow by trapping snow before it blows across the road. A previous MnDOT project developed an Excel-based Living Snow Fence Payment Calculator tool to help determine which sites are good candidates for some form of treatment. This project adapted the calculator to a web-based tool that can be accessed on all computers, including mobile devices in the field. A webinar describes the calculator tool, as well as a tool for designing snow fences. Report.

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Assessment and Placement of Living Snow Fences to Reduce Highway Maintenance Costs and Improve Safety
Colorado DOT Report 2015-01
Investigators developed tools and knowledge to expand the use of living snow fences in Colorado. The project included a survey of existing living snow fences in Colorado, and development of guidelines and training for identifying locations for living snow fences, securing the cooperation of landowners, ensuring initial maintenance of the fences, tracking assets over time and documenting benefits. Report.

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Designing, Developing and Implementing a Living Snow Fence Program for New York State
New York State DOT Research Project C-06-09
Investigators developed a range of materials intended to aid in implementation of living snow fences, including training materials; classroom and field workshops on design, installation and maintenance; a benefit-cost tool; and identification of key factors for successful living snow fences in New York and beyond. Researchers also developed protocols to evaluate the effectiveness of living snow fences, and applied them to 18 living snow fences of various vegetation types and ages. This evaluation found that living snow fences have the snow-trapping potential that equals the annual quantity of blowing snow at average New York sites as soon as three years after planting, much earlier than previously assumed. Report.

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Extending the Life of Paint and Reflective Markers by Using Partial Rubber Plow Blades
Indiana DOT Report 2015/02
Winter maintenance using metal plow blades frequently causes damage to raised pavement markers and painted line markings. This project was a limited study to determine whether partial rubber snowplow blades, in which the steel carbide cutting edge on the wing tip is replaced with rubber, could reduce damage to raised or painted pavement markings. Tests of both metal and partial rubber plow blades on Indiana roads found no evidence that partial rubber plow blades were significantly less damaging to pavement markings, although the sample size was too small to make a conclusive evaluation. A survey of operators found that they did not believe the partial rubber blades performed as well as steel. Report.

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Permeable Pavements in Cold Climates: State of the Art and Cold Climate Case Studies
Minnesota DOT Report 2015-30
Permeable pavements are a relatively new technology, and while progress has been made with them, there are many issues that are not well understood. This project reviewed the current state of knowledge of several topics related to permeable pavements. Chapter 5 addresses maintenance needs and offers recommendations for salt and sand application. Some sources recommend against using sand on permeable pavements because it can clog the pavement’s pores and reduce infiltration rates, while several studies have found that permeable pavements require up to three-quarters less salt than non-porous asphalt to achieve bare roadway conditions. Report.

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Research in Progress

Assessment of Salt Procurement and Distribution Processes
Currently, Ohio DOT procures salt for winter maintenance through a multi-vendor bid process twice a year. This project’s goal is to optimize processes from procurement to utilization by establishing a methodology for assessing processes; developing a matrix of best and current practices in procurement, storage, logistics and other appropriate areas; and identifying recommendations for improvement. Abstract.

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Analysis of Dynamic Advisory Messaging
Driver behavior during winter weather and other imperfect conditions can significantly impact mobility. Dynamic advisory messaging triggered by atmospheric, surface or traffic conditions is one strategy used by transportation agencies to better inform motorists of conditions and influence their behavior. This Iowa DOT project will analyze the effectiveness of dynamic advisory messaging at positively impacting driver behavior during winter conditions. Abstract.

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Self-Heated Pavements
Fatalities and injuries due to icy roads are more than four times those from natural disasters at the national level. Icy roads also limit economic growth in New York State and other northern states by reducing highway capacity due to slow traffic, accidents, or road closures. This project, sponsored by the University Transportation Research Center at the City College of New York, will investigate self-heated pavements as an alternative to deicing agents or permeable pavements for ensuring ice-free road surfaces during the winter. Abstract.

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Use of Geothermal Energy for De-icing Approach Pavement Slabs and Bridge Decks
Deicing using geothermal energy may provide the Texas Department of Transportation a better alternative to deicing agents for removing snow and ice from roadways. This research will synthesize available literature on geothermal energy, along with successful case studies on the use of geothermal energy in bridge decks and pavement deicing. A preliminary finite element analysis will also be performed using typical Texas soil and climate conditions to demonstrate feasibility and potential cost-benefit analysis of a geothermal deicing system. Abstract.

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Route Optimization for ODOT Snow Plow Trucks, Phase 1
In addition to optimizing snow and ice routes for its standard snow plow trucks. Ohio Department of Transportation wants to determine the best way to implement the specialty equipment in its fleet such as Epoke bulk spreaders and the TowPlow. Phase 1 includes a pilot study for two ODOT districts, which will determine whether or not to move forward with a second phase that includes the remaining districts. Abstract.