Winter Maintenance
E-Newsletter
September 2007
Produced by CTC & Associates LLC
To be notified of new issues email, info@ctcandassociates.com
Past Newsletters July 2007
News
A mix of ice and snow on Feb. 14, 2007 caused accidents that blocked more than 150 miles on three interstate highways in central Pennsylvania, stranding hundreds of truckers and motorists for more than 20 hours and generating considerable negative publicity. An independent investigation of the state’s emergency management response during the event provides a detailed view of the communications shortcomings of the state's emergency management infrastructure. See the Government Technology story.
Winter 2006-07 presented severe conditions and new challenges to winter maintenance managers, supervisors, operators and mechanics. Information about those challenges, and more, will be shared during education, training and roundtable sessions at this year’s conference, Sept. 25 to 28, 2007 in Estes Park, Colorado. The popular National Snow Roadeo will be held in conjunction. See complete details on the Western Snow & Ice Web site.
A day-long training course, “Introduction to RWIS Equipment and Operations,” will be offered in conjunction with the upcoming 2007 National Rural ITS Conference in Traverse City, Michigan. The course, slated for Oct. 10, will overview RWIS and discuss financial, siting, design, deployment and maintenance issues. Intended participants include state transportation, traffic, operations/ITS and safety engineers; maintenance personnel; and planners involved in RWIS or ITS systems. The course description is available on the ITS Conference Web site.
ITS International
July – August 2007
Utah DOT's award-winning Weather Operations/RWIS program grew out of the need to provide accurate and timely traffic management information during the 2002 Winter Olympics. It now uses a team of skilled meteorologists based in the Traffic Operations Center to provide year-round Operations support and is demonstrating significant cost benefits. See the article.
Salt & Highway Deicing - Summer 2007
The emerging challenge of developing roadway performance measures for winter maintenance operations is discussed. Read the story.
Better Roads, August 2007
This month’s Product Report/Bid List rounds up 16 new anti-icing and deicing products including pavement sensors, sprayers, spreaders, and a snow and ice training program offered by Coastal Training Consultants. See the list.
Better Roads, July 2007
This month’s New Road Products list highlights several winter maintenance items, including non-invasive pavement surface information technology from Vaisala Inc. According to Vaisala, the technology eliminates traffic disruption associated with the installation of road weather sensors because Vaisala’s sensors mount on existing poles or structures and can be moved easily from one location to another. See the list.
Better Roads, June 2007
What do hand-held weed sprayers and volcanic grit have in common? Transportation agencies in six states are employing unique tools and methods to optimize the use of winter maintenance budgets and equipment. Read the story.
Better Roads, June 2007
For the Colorado DOT, winter maintenance is more than a job: it’s an adventure. See the article.
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Research Reports
Maine DOT Transportation Research Division, July 2007
MDOT retrofitted six conventional salt spreaders to allow for a 70 percent granular salt, 30 percent salt brine application, representing a significant increase in the level of brine used to pre-treat the salt. Most crews using the new mix indicated that it outperformed the typical treatment of six, eight and 10 gallons per ton and saved salt. All crews indicated that it did a better job of minimizing bounce and scatter. See the report on the MDOT Web site.
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Research in Progress
The main objective of this Canadian project is to develop a common language to describe surface conditions measured by road sensors to allow road network managers using road weather information systems to obtain and analyze comparable data. Sponsor, Transportation Association of Canada. Project description.
The following projects were recently added to the Transportation Research Board Research in Progress database:
The goal of this study is to develop and install sensors on the roadway and ramps of a cantilever truss bridge to alert bridge operators to fast-freeze conditions. Sponsor, Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation. Project abstract.
Researchers intend to develop a state-of-the-art radar system that can detect objects buried in roadside snowpack and display detections to plow operators. Sponsor, California DOT. Project abstract.
Mobile Real-Time Information System for Snow Fighter Supervisors
The proposed study will research, design and build a cost-effective, real-time mobile information and communication system for snow fighter supervisors. Sponsor, California DOT. Project abstract.
The objective of this study is to determine the process (timing and hydraulic conditions) of chloride transport to ground water in bedrock aquifers. Sponsor, MaineDOT. Project abstract.
Risk Management Analysis and Sustainability of MaineDOT Anti-icing Policies
This project will conduct a risk management analysis to evaluate deicing chemicals used by the agency for environmental impacts, sustainability, safety concerns and public policy implications. The project will look specifically at the long-term sustainability of current bare roads policies. Sponsor, MaineDOT. Project abstract.
Phase I of this study will assess the current knowledge of road deicing effects in the New England region, evaluate how deicing practices in Vermont have changed during the past 20 years, and describe levels of chloride and other salt components in Vermont's surface waters. A Phase II investigation would determine how state roads contribute to chloride, sodium and calcium levels in Vermont streams. Sponsor, Vermont Agency of Transportation. Project abstract.
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