Winter Maintenance E-Newsletter - December 2011

Produced by CTC & Associates LLC
To be notified of new issues email, info@ctcandassociates.com

Past Newsletters: August 2011, May 2011, February 2011

News

2012 North American Snow Conference
The American Public Works Association has slated its 2012 North American Snow Conference for April 29 to May 2, 2011, at the Frontier Airlines Convention Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Hosted by the Wisconsin Chapter of APWA, this four-day “Show for Snow” features education programs, technical tours and opportunities to interact and exchange ideas about everything from innovative equipment and technology to groundbreaking new products and services. Online registration opens December 1, 2011. Details.

APWA Reporter’s Winter Maintenance Issue
The October 2011 issue of APWA Reporter is all about winter maintenance, from best maintenance practices for snow fleets—before, during and after the snow—to adapting levels of service. Learn about tailoring your maintenance approach to the storm and the efforts of the Winter Service Committee of the World Road Congress to bring sustainability into the winter maintenance process. And step back in time to discover the deep roots of the snowfighting tradition in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, site of the 2012 North American Snow Conference. Articles.

Testing a Liquid Chemical Blending and Dispensing System
A recent Maintenance Research Bulletin spotlights Minnesota DOT’s evaluation of a system that allows for the accurate blending and dispensing of up to five different winter chemicals into the tank on a plow truck or larger tankers for distribution to other sites. A computer monitors and controls the mixture rate; the control panel can be viewed and operated from an external location. Rather than relying on stored preblended liquid chemicals, the new system allows MnDOT to blend chemicals in real time based on weather conditions. Research Bulletin.

Joint Conference to Address Winter Maintenance Practices and Surface Transportation Weather
Iowa City, Iowa, is the site of the 2012 International Conference on Winter Maintenance and Surface Transportation Weather April 30 to May 3, 2012. Sponsored by the TRB committees on Winter Maintenance (AHD65) and Surface Transportation Weather (AH010) in cooperation with FHWA and Iowa DOT, this conference joins the 8th International Symposium on Snow Removal and Ice Control Technology and 5th National Conference on Surface Transportation Weather. Details.

Assessing Winter Plow Blades
PolarFlex cutting edges use 12-inch steel segments with carbide tips installed within flexible and reusable synthetic rubber housings that allow the segments to more closely conform to the contours of the road surface during snow and ice operations. MnDOT is comparing the PolarFlex plow blade with the JOMA plow blade to see how each blade stacks up when it comes to durability, ability to clear the road surface, reduction in operator fatigue and amount of road salt used. Research Bulletin.

Research Reports

Safety and Mobility Impacts of Winter Weather – Phase I
InTrans Project 10-370, August 2011
This report describes opportunities for improving traffic safety during winter weather conditions. Researchers developed metrics to assist in identifying possible habitual, winter weather-related crash sites on state-maintained rural highways in Iowa. A preliminary work plan focuses on systematic use of safety-related data in support of winter maintenance activities and site evaluation. Report.

Snow Rendering for Interactive Snowplow Simulation – Supporting Safety in Snowplow Design
Report No. CTS 11-23, October 2011
Researchers tested the effects of color and lighting alternatives on snowplows in their examination of emergency lighting configurations that reduce rear-end collisions with snowplows. Initial pilot experiments using a blowing snow model and simulated driving environment tested reaction times for following a snowplow through high luminance contrast (normal daylight driving) and low luminance contrast (daylight fog) conditions. Report.

Risk Mitigation Strategies for Operations and Maintenance Activities
IHRB Project TR-627, October 2011
This project applied integrated risk modeling to operations and maintenance activities in moving operations such as snow removal and pavement testing. Researchers developed a process map for use by Iowa DOT, Iowa county engineers and municipal transportation agencies to assess the risk potential of various operations and maintenance activities and develop team-based risk mitigation strategies. Report.

Research in Progress

Cost Effective Selection of Snow Plow Blades
Researchers are gathering empirical data on the various types of snowplow blades on the market to determine the advantages and disadvantages of each blade; which blades or practices are most cost-effective for each surface type or condition; and ways to increase blade life. Research results will provide guidance in developing effective plowing practices that reduce material use and labor costs, decrease downtime, and increase safety during snow events. Sponsor: Utah Department of Transportation. Abstract.

Limited Deployment of Friction Measurement and Applicator Control Systems for Winter Road Maintenance
A field evaluation in Hennepin County, Minnesota, will test a newly developed friction measurement system with a deployment over one winter season on two snowplows and one supervisor's pick-up truck. The plows will interface with DICKEY-john or FORCE America controllers for automatic applicator control. Study results will help determine whether to pursue a large-scale deployment of the friction measurement technology. Sponsor: ITS Institute, University of Minnesota. Abstract.

Quantifying Corrosive Potential of De-Icing and Anti-Icing Solutions to Steel and Concrete Bridge Components
This project is investigating the relative impact of the three predominant anti-icing and deicing strategies used in North Carolina—sodium chloride in brine form, granular form or as granules mixed with traction-enhancing materials—on the ingress of chlorides into concrete surfaces and the effect on the corrosion rates of both reinforcing steel and exposed structural steel members. Sponsor: North Carolina Department of Transportation. Abstract.

Strategic Analysis of Snow Routes
Researchers are developing mathematical optimization models to perform an analysis of existing snow routes for selected neighborhoods in Rhode Island. The models, which will use data obtained by observation, transfer and discussion from Rhode Island DOT, will analyze stockpile operations, fuel depots and equipment to increase the efficiency of winter maintenance operations. Sponsor: University of Rhode Island Transportation Center. Abstract.

Utah Winter Severity Index
In this project, researchers are creating an index for use in defining the severity of winter weather. The index will incorporate intensity, duration and other variables determined to contribute to the subjective "severity" of winter storms. The index’s single value will allow for objective comparison of efforts to manage transportation during winter weather in operations or maintenance and from one maintenance station to another. Sponsor: Utah Department of Transportation. Abstract.