Problem

The public’s increasing demands for higher levels of service and ice-free conditions are requiring agencies to apply greater amounts of chloride-based materials, which increases material, equipment and labor costs. State and local units of government are continually assessing the need to balance LOS goals with winter maintenance costs and the negative impacts winter maintenance materials can have on the environment.

Objective

The goal of this project was to help state DOTs and local transportation agencies better understand the performance, cost and environmental impacts of alternative deicing materials; understand the application methods currently used in the field; and compare the performance and impacts of alternative winter maintenance materials with chloride-based materials.

Results

This project produced case studies and recommendations on the use of alternative methods of deicing. These results lay the groundwork for future research to identify and conduct the testing and analysis needed to develop research-based best practices for the use of alternative deicing materials that achieve comparable snow melt and can be used in place of or to supplement chloride-based materials.

This project was featured in an article in the September 2021 issue of Roads & Bridges magazine.

The Final Webinar took place on May 4, 2020.

Problem

Carbide inserts provide a life expectancy 10 to 20 times longer than traditional steel blades. This extended longevity has proven to save time and resources for winter maintenance agencies around the country. Unfortunately, there are no common procurement specifications for carbide inserts, and agencies use a wide variety of requirements.

Still, many agencies do have experience using standards developed for the use of plow blades with carbide inserts. This project gathered information from these users and from carbide insert manufacturers, distributors and vendors to compile a set of standard specifications that can be used and shared among Clear Roads members and others.

Objective

The goal of this project was to develop a set of standard specifications that can be used by agencies across the country to specify carbide-insert plow blades. State DOTs currently specify a variety of carbide-insert blades, and having a common specifications used by many of the 36 Clear Roads states would simplify and streamline the procurement process for state DOTs and vendors. The buying power connected to a widely accepted specification would be greater, and procurement coalitions could potentially use the standard specifications for bidding. In addition, if more agencies specified the same product, vendors could reduce their costs and pass those savings on to state DOTs. The standard specifications would provide a starting point for agencies that want to develop their own specifications. Counties and cities would also be able to take advantage of the specifications.

Results

This project produced a set of standard specifications addressing the following:

• Carbide inserts, geometry, and dimensions
• Blade materials, assembly details, and dimensions
• Plow blade configuration (front, underbody, or tow blade) and blade dimensions (length and height)
• Quality assurance inspections and accept/reject procedures
• Details of procedures to accept/reject inserts

Specifications include text and AutoCAD details of insert dimensions, insert material, blade dimensions, and mounting details (including bolt pattern and inside measurements, amount of insert inside a blade, and blade/insert mounting configuration).

NOTE: Based on a peer review conducted by industry, Clear Roads has revised a portion of the specifications, which can be found under Study Documents > Final Products.

The Final Webinar took place on March 25, 2020.

Problem

Some state DOTs use snowplow route optimization programs to optimize their fleet sizing, determine new facility locations, and develop snow and ice routes. Optimization programs can result in cost savings through more efficient and effective use of staff, equipment and materials, and through optimal placement of winter maintenance facilities. However, developing the Request for Proposals (RFP) for optimization services, specifically the technical requirements portion of the RFP, can be difficult and time-consuming.

Objective

This project’s goal was to expedite the process for states to procure an automated snowplow route optimization program vendor by providing a list of technical requirements and considerations that states can use to build their RFP.

Results

Through a survey and follow-up interviews with agencies and vendors, this project captured the technical requirements and considerations involved in selecting an automated snowplow route optimization program. The project produced two complementary documents as appendices to the final report:

1. Decision Support Guidance: An accessible and in-depth discussion of the technical requirements for route optimization and the key decisions DOTs should consider when developing the project scope and managing a provider.
2. Contracting Language Template: A flexible template to assist DOTs with developing a scope of work for an RFP for automated snowplow route optimization services. The language in the template is intended to ensure that DOTs and service providers have a shared understanding of the scope of work that the DOT requires and to maximize the likelihood that the project will result in safe, feasible, implementation-ready routes.

The Final Webinar took place on October 29, 2021.

Problem

As agencies consider purchasing new types of snowplow equipment, it is important that they understand the trade-offs between equipment costs and potential gains in efficiency.  Tow plows and wing plows require an additional up-front investment, but these accessory plow configurations are designed to allow a plow operator to clear more snow in a single pass than a standard front plow alone. These plow configurations have the potential to provide efficiencies in terms of plow cycle time, labor and equipment allocation, operating costs, increased level of service, and more.

Objectives

This project’s goals were (1) to provide Clear Roads member states with a thorough understanding of the real-world costs, benefits and efficiencies associated with purchasing, operating, and maintaining tow plows and wing plows over the equipment’s entire life cycle, and (2) to provide tools to help guide states’ equipment purchases and their deployment of tow plows and wing plows on the roadways where they will yield the greatest efficiencies.

Results

Through a practitioner survey, testing/simulation, and analysis, this project created a spreadsheet-based Decision Support Tool to help agencies more accurately assess the efficiencies, costs of ownership, and return on investment for tow plows and wing plows and determine the best locations to deploy it. A companion Best Practices Guide will help agencies understand the considerations for purchasing, deploying and operating specific plow types.

The final webinar took place on January 21, 2022.

Problem

The general lack of drivers from the Great Recession of 2008-2009 and the retiring of Baby Boomers, coupled with long hours and frigid work conditions, contributes to state DOTs’ struggles to find and retain highway maintenance workers.

Objectives

This project’s goal was to provide state DOTs with information that can be used to more effectively recruit and retain highway maintenance workers. A related objective was to develop objective data about state DOTs’ recruitment and retention challenges that can be presented to state legislative committees or upper management in order to influence agency policy.

Results

This project developed a concise guide of innovative but practical ways for DOTs to recruit and retain a highly proficient, productive, versatile, and committed roadway maintenance workforce. The final report includes case studies in several categories, including recruitment programs, retention strategies, recruitment and retention for underserved communities, recruitment and retention of the next generation, and capturing information to inform program improvements.

The Final Webinar took place on June 21, 2021.

Problem

After a storm, transportation agencies need to conduct after-action studies and prepare after-action reports. To do this, data from numerous sources needs to be accessed, collected, and analyzed. These data may be difficult to access and use for a number of reasons. They may not be easy to find, or it may be difficult to parse readily available data. Some kinds of data may also be difficult to export, particularly video of radar or forecast maps.

Objective

The goal of this project was to allow transportation agencies to more quickly and easily reconstruct winter weather events, with a focus on drawing from data sources that cover the entire United States or large regions.

Results

This project developed an easy-to-use web-based tool that gathers existing online weather data for a specific location and time and prepares the results in a single clear and comprehensive report. By using the tool, agencies will be able to spend much less time finding and preparing weather data before moving to analysis and follow-up. This will help agencies better understand the development and outcomes of winter storms, react appropriately to such events in the short and long term, and refine future maintenance decision-making.

WEATHER EVENT RECONSTRUCTION AND ANALYSIS TOOL

Background

Clear Roads has been leading a Plug-and-Play Initiative to specify a universal bi-directional communications protocol for in-cab electronics, regardless of the manufacturer or service provider. Establishment of this protocol will mutually benefit Clear Roads member states and their vendors by standardizing how critical operational data are shared on modern snow and ice vehicles, namely between compatible Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) devices and anti-icing/deicing joystick and spreader controller systems.

Previous research efforts under the Clear Roads Plug-and-Play Initiative include Phase 1 and Phase 2.

Objective

The goal of this project was to develop a software suite to validate and certify candidate spreader controllers and AVL equipment for compliance with the current Clear Roads Universal In-Cab Performance Specification and Communications Protocol.

Results

Researchers developed a software suite that includes three components:

1. SQL database: Stores test parameters and vendor/equipment information.
2. Web portal: Web application used by both vendors and Clear Roads members. Vendors use the portal to initiate and complete the certification process, and Clear Roads members can then view lists of compliant equipment and test results.
3. Device test application: A Windows-based application that performs the testing, provides feedback to the user, and communicates the results to the SQL database. Vendors can download the device test application after registering through the web portal.

CLEAR ROADS TEST BED PORTAL

Problem

Today, data collected by vehicle-mounted sensors are useful but limited. For a given parameter (for example, grip, road condition, water film height, etc.), sensors from different manufacturers may provide disparate values under the same conditions, making the information hard to interpret across manufacturers.

Moreover, even when a given manufacturer’s measurement scales are well understood, the resulting set of measured values for an array of parameters (road condition, grip, road temperature, dew point temperature, water film height and others) are not easily translated into unambiguous guidance: what are the road conditions, how can they be characterized in terms of a performance measure, and what operational steps should a maintenance agency take?

Objective

Through rigorous testing of sensor equipment, development of standardized scales, and creation of guidance for using an array of measurements in concert for decision-making, Clear Roads will make better use of road sensor data than is now currently available.

Expected Results

The guidance developed from this project will help in multiple aspects of winter maintenance—in the short-term for responding to a winter storm in real time, and in the long-term in making policy and planning decisions based on performance trends. It will also help practitioners avoid guesswork by providing guidance based on vetted equipment and reliable numerical standards.

The Final Webinar took place on April 11, 2019.

Problem

High-performance snowplow blades are designed to last longer than standard plow blades, and they typically cost more as well. However, since many variables can affect blade life, it can be difficult for an agency to determine which blades are the most cost-effective overall. Since Clear Roads recognizes that it may be challenging to develop a standard field test protocol that controls for all of these variables, this project will involve compiling and analyzing the results of field tests to be conducted at multiple state DOTs, as well as conducting a cost-benefit analysis of each blade type.

Objective

The objective of this project is to develop a field test protocol and cost-benefit analysis methodology that can be reproduced by Clear Roads agencies in future testing, so that other blades can be evaluated and compared using the same standard procedures used in this project.

Expected Results

Based on field test results, the Clear Roads will produce a Quick Reference Guide outlining the features and specifications of each blade along with key field test results and cost-benefit ratios in an easy-to-read format. These tests will also be repeatable with future-developed high performance blades as a standard test protocol will also be developed.

The final webinar was conducted on January 20, 2023.

Problem

Transportation agencies have been managing their salt and liquid anti-icing applications based on the results of multiple testing efforts over the years. These agencies have gained significant practical experience in the use of chloride-based liquids for winter maintenance since the earlier guidelines were published, and have developed locally-based approaches for their use alone or with other winter materials.

However, discussions at recent National Winter Maintenance Peer Exchanges have repeatedly identified the need to update the existing guidelines for material application rates as a function of road weather scenarios in the field environment.

Objective

The goal of this project is to create a synthesis of best management practices for application rates, material application methodologies and material usage, including chloride brines applied directly or as additives to abrasives and rock salts.

Expected Results

A key deliverable of this project will be a handbook that is succinct, decisive in its instructions and recommendations, and professionally created. This handbook will provide winter maintenance professionals with the ability to access the needed information with ease and will be essential in driving the successful implementation of this project’s findings.

The Final Webinar took place on February 11, 2019.