News

A Michigan DOT research study confirmed that adding green strobe lights to existing amber warning lights on winter maintenance vehicles increases the trucks’ visibility to other motorists. Researchers evaluated dozens of lighting configurations to identify the best options for increasing the plows’ visibility while minimizing glare. MDOT began using green warning lights on winter maintenance … Read more

A new Clear Roads synthesis project surveyed state DOTs about how they meet their weather forecasting needs, including which approaches are effective and what additional resources would be valuable. The project also examined the practices DOTs use to convey information about forecasts and road weather conditions to operators in the field. Read the synthesis report: Resources, Practices and Needs for Weather Forecasting to Facilitate Winter Road Maintenance, December 2020.

Clear Roads has published its sixth Annual Survey of State Winter Maintenance Data, which compiles data on winter resources, materials and costs from 36 states for the 2019-2020 winter season. The interactive spreadsheet-based tool includes a United States map that displays many of these metrics. The tool includes six years of data, and displays averages and changes across winter seasons. See the project page.

Check out these recent Clear Roads research reports:

• Synthesis Report: Mechanic/Operator Equipment Training, August 2020.
  This synthesis report identified the training materials that state DOTs and others have developed on topics including pre- and post-trip inspections and diagnosing and correcting equipment problems. Synthesis report.
• Alternative Methods for Deicing, Clear Roads Project 18-05, July 2020. Researchers created a compendium of alternative deicing methods and technologies, ranging from low-investment process changes to larger mechanical improvements. Final report and research brief.
• Safe Driving and Defensive Driving Training for Snowplow Operators, Clear Roads Project 18-01, June 2020. This project added two new modules to Clear Roads’ training materials for snowplow operators. Final report, training modules and research brief.
• Test Bed Software for Plug-and-Play Technology, Clear Roads Project 13-05, April 2019. Researchers created a web portal that lets vendors test spreader controllers and AVL equipment for compatibility with the Clear Roads Communications Protocol—a key step toward plug-and-play device compatibility. White paper and research brief.

To see all completed and in-progress Clear Roads projects, visit the Research by Topic page.

Clear Roads has updated the guidance document that outlines how deicing products are evaluated for inclusion on the Clear Roads Qualified Products List (QPL). The revised guidance defines the product submittal process, outlines product specifications and testing protocols, and provides suggested language that agencies can use in their purchasing documents for winter materials.

Clear Roads provides guidance and administration for the QPL, which was created to review, test and approve products used for winter maintenance and to provide guidance in the selection and purchasing of environmentally responsible products. For more information, visit the QPL page.

The National Winter Maintenance Peer Exchange originally scheduled for September 2020 has been postponed until the fall of 2021. More details will be available soon from the event organizers.

Sponsored by TRB, Aurora, Clear Roads and the Snow and Ice Pooled Fund Cooperative Program (SICOP), the peer exchange provides an opportunity for practitioners across the country to collaborate in identifying the most critical research needs for advancing the state of the practice in winter maintenance. Presentations and other materials from past peer exchanges are available on the SICOP website.

Check out the latest episodes of the SICOP Talks Winter Ops podcast:

• Episode 37: RWIS—How Many and Where? Dr. Tae Kwon from the University of Alberta discusses a recent project conducted for the Aurora consortium on optimal placement of RWIS sensor stations. June 2020. Podcast.
• Episode 36: Decisions, Decisions: Dave Huft of South Dakota DOT discusses how agencies use maintenance decision support systems (MDSS) to help evaluate information about an approaching storm and make decisions about treatment strategies. June 2020. Podcast.
• Episode 35: Maintenance Goes to College: Program Director Susan Baillargeon provides an overview of the online associate’s degree program in Highway Maintenance Management offered by Front Range Community College in Colorado. May 2020. Podcast.