Winter Maintenance
E-Newsletter
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August 2010
Produced by CTC & Associates
LLC
To be notified of new issues email, info@ctcandassociates.com
Past Newsletters: May 2010, February 2010, November 2009, August 2009
News
Highlighting FHWA’s Road Weather Management Program
Through research, technology development and community outreach, FHWA’s Road Weather Management Program aims to better understand and mitigate the impacts of weather on roadways. This report highlighting program accomplishments includes data from DOTs across the country that reflect reductions in costs, crashes and travel time achieved through use of the technology and best practices championed by the RWMP. Report.
Innovations in Snowfighting
The June 2010 digital edition of Better Roads spotlights innovative snowfighting tools and practices, including a vehicle-mounted Intelligent Specialty Vehicle System installed on Alaska DOT’s winter maintenance vehicles. The ISVS system, which has integrated collision avoidance radar technology and digitally maps the location of highway features, allows operators to avoid collisions during periods of low visibility. Also highlighted are fog dispersal equipment, front-end truck-mounted brooms to clear light snowfall, and homemade brine. Article.
Examining State Liability and Road Weather Information Systems
A report recently published by the National Conference of State Legislatures helps state DOT staff and state legislators understand liability issues related to the use of RWIS technology and offers strategic options for dealing with those issues. The report also provides comprehensive lists of relevant legal statements and statutes for the District of Columbia and all 50 states. Report.
APWA Training Opportunity
An upcoming Click, Listen & Learn program offered by the American Public Works Association, “Lessons Learned from Extreme Winter Events,” details how agencies in Washington, D. C., Denver, Colo., and Seattle, Wash., dealt with major winter events and the changes that came about as a result of them. Participants will learn about implementing programs and establishing best practices in a wide-ranging discussion that addresses budgeting, staff reaction and public perception. Course date for this two-hour audio/Web broadcast: October 7, 2010. Details.
Maine DOT Evaluates Winter Maintenance Equipment
Technical Briefs recently published by Maine DOT evaluate Kuper Tuca SX36 snowplow cutting edges and present results of the second-year evaluation of the Viking-Cives tow plow. After four years of evaluation, Maine DOT concludes that the Kuper Tuca SX36 plow blade does not provide a cost-effective alternative to its standard carbide blades. The tow plow fared better, with Maine DOT noting that the tow plow worked well in both two-lane secondary highway and Interstate applications.
Research Reports
Investigation of Re-Use Options for Used Traction Sand
CDOT-2010-4, June 2010
Street sweepers reclaim approximately 50 percent of the 24,000 tons of traction sand Colorado DOT applies annually, most often in mountain locations. Researchers examined data on reclaimed traction sand from multiple mountainous areas in Colorado and concluded that the sand could be reused without posing a risk to human health. Findings indicate that an aggregate material that meets CDOT specifications could be prepared at a reasonable cost by combining the reclaimed materials with a coarse aggregate supplement. Report.
Human Factors Analysis of Road Weather Advisory and Control Information: Final Report
FHWA-JPO-10-053, March 2010
Researchers identified the weather information requirements of travelers across a range of travel scenarios, evaluated the current state of practice in weather-responsive traffic advisory and control strategies, and identified ways to bridge the gap between end-user needs and current practice. The final report includes recommendations for the content and delivery of road weather information and an outreach plan to attract, engage and involve the end-user community. Report.
Research in Progress
Development of Winter Maintenance Demand and Performance Indices
Researchers will examine methods for characterizing winter severity or maintenance demand of winter storms, and how these indices can be used to assess South Dakota DOT’s maintenance activities. Candidate indices will be evaluated on objectivity, data availability, cost, geographical applicability, temporal stability, and ability to support business decisions. Researchers will use historical data collected during the winter of 2010-2011 to test indices and generate recommendations. Sponsor: South Dakota Department of Transportation. Details.
Roadmap for Winter Maintenance Research
The goal of this project—Task 87 of the AASHTO Standing Committee on Highways—is to develop a roadmap of strategic and business needs for snow and ice control that can be used to identify short- and long-term research needs. A workshop is scheduled for the summer of 2010, and the project is expected to wrap up by the end of October 2010. Sponsors: NCHRP, FHWA, AASHTO Standing Committee on Highways. Details.