New Clear Roads RFP: Proposals Due Sept. 17
Clear Roads has posted a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an additional research project in the 2021 funding cycle: Efficacy, Cost, and Impacts of Non-Chloride Deicers: An Educational Primer and Product Information Sheets—Proposals due September 17 As a reminder, Clear Roads is also soliciting investigator proposals for the following research projects: Grip Sensor Technology and … Read more
New Clear Roads RFPs: Proposals due Sept. 3
Clear Roads is currently soliciting investigator proposals for six new research projects: Grip Sensor Technology and Salt Applications Best Practices for Protecting DOT Equipment from the Corrosion Effect of Chemical Deicers (Update to CR 13-04) Training Module Development for CR 18-03: Evaluation of SSI and WSI Variables Evaluation of Electric Vehicle Technologies and Alternative Fuels for … Read more

New Clear Roads Research: Pre-wetting Methods and Procedures
Pre-wetting road salt helps keep the salt on the road’s surface, which makes winter maintenance more efficient and cost-effective. While pre-wetting practices are used by many agencies, they have not been extensively studied. A recent Clear Roads research project took stock of the current state of the practice for pre-wetting salt and other solid materials, … Read more

South Dakota, Iowa and Michigan Recognized for High-Value Winter Research

- South Dakota DOT: Maintenance Decision Support System Implementation Plan (Sweet Sixteen, Region 4) | Video presentation
- Iowa DOT: Corn-Based Deicers (Sweet Sixteen, Region 3) | Final report | Two-page brief | Video presentation
- Michigan DOT: Effectiveness of Green Strobes on Winter Maintenance Vehicles and Equipment (Safety Supplemental Award, Region 3) | Final report | Fact sheet | Presentation slides

Online Associate’s Degree in Highway Maintenance Management


Minnesota Crews Target Changes to Reduce Chlorides in Runoff


LED Plow Lights Show Benefits in New Hampshire
LED plow headlights have several potential advantages over traditional halogen bulbs, including longer life, reduced susceptibility to damaging vibrations, and improved visibility and reduced eye fatigue for operators. To compare the two bulb types, New Hampshire DOT tested LED lights on 17 plow trucks and surveyed operators about their experiences. Operators overwhelmingly preferred the LED … Read more

New Clear Roads Research: Advanced Technologies for Winter Operations


New Podcast Episodes from SICOP Talks Winter Ops

- Public Affairs, a Key Ingredient for Successful Winter Operations (Episode 47): A conversation with Anne Meyer of Minnesota DOT about the role public affairs professionals play in getting the winter operations message out to the driving public. May 2021. Podcast.
- Ways to Improve Winter Resilience of Roads (Episode 46): Mark Corbin of the UK’s Transport for West Midlands discusses what he learned during extensive research on winter resilience in several countries. April 2021. Podcast.

Clear Roads Selects 2021 Research Projects

- Grip Sensor Technology and Salt Applications
- Best Practices for Protecting DOT Equipment from the Corrosive Effects of Chemical Deicers (Update to CR 13-04)
- Efficacy and Environmental Impact of Non-Chloride Deicers
- Training Module Development for CR 18-03: Evaluation of SSI and WSI Variables
- Evaluation of Electric Vehicle Technologies for Winter Operations
- Calculating Plow Cycle Times from AVL Data
- Determining the Migration of Chloride-Based Deicers Through Different Soil Types Adjacent to Chloride-Treated Roadways