Winter Maintenance E-Newsletter - August 2009

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

Past Newsletters: May 2009, February 2009

News

Terminology Released for Winter Pavement Conditions
The Transportation Association of Canada has adopted a common language to describe winter pavement conditions measured by pavement sensors. The new national standards and data dictionary for winter pavement conditions include definitions for pavement temperature and five pavement conditions: ice, frost, dry, wet and chemically wet. See page 7 of the Spring 2009 TAC News, or review the standards.

Training Opportunity
An upcoming Click, Listen & Learn program offered by the American Public Works Association, “Performance Measures for Winter Maintenance,” gives participants the opportunity to learn how to measure storm severity, assess storm fighting efforts, implement a performance measurement system, and evaluate winter maintenance activities to make the most effective use of limited resources. Course date for this two-hour audio/Web broadcast: October 1, 2009. Details.

Assessing Climatic Effects and Winter Maintenance Costs by Pavement Type
A recent edition of the Utah DOT Research Division newsletter spotlighted current activities in a multiyear study to investigate relationships between pavement surface type, surface conditions and climatic conditions during winter. Researchers are also evaluating the effects of deicers most commonly used by UDOT. See page 12 of the newsletter.

Maine DOT Evaluates Winter Maintenance Equipment
Technical Briefs and Reports recently published by Maine DOT evaluate the Assaloni plow and material spreader, alternative snow plow cutting edge, the Viking-Cives tow plow, and the Monroe slurry maker.

Research Reports

Deicing Planning Guidelines and Practices for Stormwater Management Systems
ACRP Report 14, June 2009
Published as a collection of fact sheets, this report provides detailed operational guidance for the practical, cost-effective control of runoff from aircraft and airfield deicing and anti-icing operations. Each fact sheet describes the nature and operating principles of each practice; factors that should be taken into account when considering its applicability at a particular facility; and capital, operating and maintenance costs. Report.

Corrosion Resistant Alloys for Reinforced Concrete
FHWA-HRT-09-020, May 2009
This is the second interim report of a study evaluating stainless steel corrosion-resistant reinforcements used on concrete bridges. Researchers reported long-term data and analyses of chloride exposures in excess of four years that involved four reinforced concrete specimens: two intended to simulate northern bridge decks exposed to deicing salts, and two to simulate marine substructure elements. Sponsor: FHWA Office of Infrastructure Research and Development. Report.

Detection of Water and Ice on Bridge Structures by AC Impedance and Dielectric Relaxation Spectroscopy: Phase I
CTS 09-12, April 2009
Researchers completed a preliminary evaluation of two approaches to low-cost sensing systems for monitoring ice and water on bridge deck surfaces. Results suggest that deploying a system based on time domain reflectometry could result in a significant reduction in development costs and the ultimate cost of system deployment. Sponsor: Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute, University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies. Report.

Enhancement of Winter Maintenance Material Ordering and Inventory
FHWA/OH-2009/1, March 2009
This project developed winter maintenance material ordering guidelines for Ohio counties. Based on a weather regression model for the major cities/counties in the state that relates usage to weather, the guidelines take into account usage history and monthly variations in usage. The project also developed design concepts for inventory monitoring to support effective ordering. Report.

A Winter Severity Index for the State of Maine
Technical Report 09-1, January 2009
Maine DOT’s development of a Winter Severity Index to gauge material use and justify winter snow control costs is described in this report. Researchers noted that, generally, the WSI is a good indicator of seasonal winter conditions, with WSI ratings closely following winter costs when adjusting for inflation, price fluctuations and material availability. Report.

Research in Progress

Develop a Method for Performance Rating of Deicing Chemicals for Winter Operations
Researchers propose to gather and summarize existing information regarding accepted test methods to evaluate deicing material performance, quality assurance/quality control procedures, and current research under way. Data collected from other agencies in the U.S. and Canada will populate a summary of best practices. Sponsors: FHWA Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, Nebraska Department of Roads. Abstract.

Properties of Mixed Winter Roadway Chemicals
This project seeks to improve knowledge of the performance characteristics of blended materials used for prewetting and anti-icing applications. Laboratory performance data will be collected, and existing data will be reviewed and verified. A survey of chemicals and blends commonly used by state DOTs and local transportation agencies will establish a final testing program. Sponsor: Maine Department of Transportation. Abstract.

Proactive Approach to Transportation Resource Allocation Under Severe Winter Weather Emergencies
Researchers will develop a decision-support software tool that combines forecasting, risk-analysis, and optimization to predict impending severe winter emergencies such as ice storms and icy roads. The tool will assist in allocating available resources and deploying resources in anticipation of impending emergencies. Sponsors: U.S. DOT Research and Innovative Technology Administration, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University. Abstract.