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Getting Ahead of Snow and Ice

by Rodney A. Pletan, Minnesota Dep of Transportation, St. Paul, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Pacific Rim TransTech Conference?Volume II: International Ties, Management Systems, Propulsion Technology, Strategic Highway Research Program

Abstract:

Winter maintenance is not the same anymore. New weather forecasting technologies are permitting snow and ice fighters to better predict when unsafe winter weather conditions will occur. This provides the opportunity to prevent the loss of friction more than ever before believed possible. Snow fence can be used to prevent snow from accumulating. Improved cutting edges can remove compacted snow and ice, thus reducing the amount of chemical necessary. A variety of chemicals besides sodium chloride have now been tested. Liquid forms of chemicals can be used to get salts to stick better and act faster and liquids can reduce wasted material. This protecting the environment and could reduce corrosion. Treating the roadway `before' ice and snow accumulation can reduce the duration of unsafe conditions, thus greatly reducing potential for accident. This presentation, with the aid of slide pictures, is intended to generate awareness and promote the use of new technologies, much of which is an outgrowth of SHRP, so that public works professional will be motivated to capitalize on these new opportunities.

Subject Headings: Snow | Traffic accidents | Ice | Winter | Maintenance and operation | Highway and road management | Chemicals

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