Winter Maintenance
E-Newsletter
November 2007
Produced by CTC & Associates LLC
To be notified of new issues email, info@ctcandassociates.com
Past Newsletters: September 2007, July 2007
News
Clarkson University researchers have developed technology that uses vibrations caused by passing traffic to power wireless bridge monitoring sensors. According to the researchers, hermetically sealed wireless sensors powered by bridge vibration can remain on the bridge maintenance-free for decades, continuously monitoring parameters such as ice conditions. Clarkson news release.
The Central Ohio Management Based Applied Technology (COMBAT) initiative will equip 30 snowplows with high-tech GPS equipment and test the new rigs for effectiveness in the City of Columbus and Franklin County. FHWA is providing the lion’s share of funding through a $4.1 million grant. Columbus news release.
The American Public Works Association is gearing up for its next North American Snow Conference, to be held April 13 to 16, 2008, at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville. Details will be posted on the conference Web site as they become available.
The next PNS Winter Maintenance Conference has been slated for May 20 to 22, 2008, at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, Washington. The conference will be aimed at field level operators and first line supervisors as well as program managers, with sessions on technology, environmental issues, weather, safety, operations, tort liability and corrosion. The trade show will include the best in equipment, products and services for winter maintenance professionals. Conference description.
The objectives of the Symposium are to provide a forum for the exchange of information on the state-of-the-practice and state-of-the-art in technology applications and research to improve snow removal and ice control operations on highway transportation systems. The Symposium is slated for June 17 to 19, 2008, in Indianapolis. Details.
The October 2007 edition of the American Public Works Association online newsletter provides a generous selection of 11 informative and practical feature articles related to winter maintenance. Highlights include “Ice and Snow... Take It Slow,” which offers readers a detailed introduction to the innovative Clear Roads national winter driving safety campaign. See the articles.
The September 2007 edition of this Minnesota DOT publication announces the purchase of two, versatile driving simulators which will be used to provide cutting edge training for Mn/DOT snow plow operators. See the article.
Recent issues of this newsletter, published by Transit New Zealand, report on the agency’s efforts to maintain safe, passable conditions on state highways during winter 2007 – which is just wrapping up “down under.” See stories on page 1 of the June and July/August 2007 issues. Learn about TNZ’s Best Practice Traffic Management Plans for winter maintenance activities on the New Zealand Transit Web site.
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Research Reports
R-1495 Final Report, July 2007
The results of monitoring groundwater chlorides at selected Michigan roadside locations from 1976 through 2006 show that annual precipitation can provide adequate dilution of winter maintenance deicing salt applications to prevent a build-up of chlorides in the groundwater. The research results also indicate that increased winter precipitation that requires increased deicing salt application for safe roads also provides increased water for the dilution of the additional salt, preventing accumulation of the salt in the roadside environment. Sponsor: Michigan DOT. Report.
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Research in Progress
New Jersey DOT has identified environmental degradation issues relative to its maintenance yards: salt spillage during unloading and loading trucks, and salt runoff during truck and equipment washing. Researchers will identify the state-of-the-practice for designing, constructing and operating maintenance yards to prevent, control and treat salt runoff. Sponsor: NJDOT. Project abstract.
The Maintenance Decision Support System will be customized to meet New Jersey DOT’s requirements, and this version (MDSS-NJ) will be pilot tested during winter 2008-09 in the northwest region encompassing Routes I-80, 31, 46 and 206 (Warren and Morris counties). Sponsor: NJDOT. Project abstract.
The researchers' goal is to use their understanding of how the human visual system processes optical motion, under the conditions created by blowing snow, to create a simulation framework that could be used to test emergency lighting configurations that reduce rear-end collisions with snowplows. Sponsors: University of Minnesota and Intelligent Transportation Systems
Institute. Project abstract.
This study will compare the amount of equipment and material used to reach bare pavements when snowplowing on concrete sections vs. asphalt pavements adjacent to each other and on geographically similar locations. Sponsor: Utah DOT. Project abstract.
The objective of this research project is to provide a current benefit-cost assessment of weather information for winter maintenance. Sponsor: Iowa DOT. Project abstract.
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