
Winter Research Lightning Talks from Minnesota DOT
Clear Roads is pleased to share the following opportunity from lead state Minnesota DOT: Winter maintenance professionals from all agencies are invited to join Minnesota DOT’s Winter Research Lightning Talks on Wednesday, February 24, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. CST. The event will include 5-minute presentations from researchers about five in-progress MnDOT research projects: … Read more

Green Warning Lights Enhance Plow Truck Visibility in Michigan
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
New Podcast Episode from SICOP Talks Winter Ops
AASHTO’s SICOP Talks Winter Ops podcast is back with new episodes for 2021. Check out the latest episode, and catch up on podcasts you may have missed: Let’s Break the Ice (Episode 44): Jed Falgren and Jeff Perkins of Minnesota DOT talk about mechanical ice breakers, which make short work of ice pack without the … Read more

New Clear Roads Synthesis Report: Weather Forecasting Practices

Winter Maintenance at 2021 TRB Meeting
Clear Roads has prepared a listing of technical sessions and posters related to winter maintenance that will be presented at the virtual 2021 Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting. The list includes more than 20 papers and posters, with links to abstracts and presentation materials. The sessions will cover a wide range of winter maintenance topics, including materials, equipment, technology and weather. Download the list: Winter Maintenance at the 2021 TRB Annual Meeting
Note: TRB requires a login to access full papers. If you are having trouble accessing the papers, check with your DOT or other transportation library.

National Survey Compiles Sixth Year of Winter Maintenance Data


Recent Clear Roads Research
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.

Updated Guidance for Qualified Products List (QPL)

New RFP: Proposals Due October 28
Clear Roads is currently soliciting investigator proposals for a new research project:
- Evaluation of Indoor Automated Stockpile Measurement Systems

Winter Maintenance News: Peer Exchange Postponed

- 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.