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Drivers on a stretch of Interstate 35 in southern Minnesota received advance warning this winter when snowplows were working nearby. In an effort to reduce crashes, Minnesota DOT pilot-tested technology that uses highway message signs to let motorists know when slow-moving plows are ahead on the highway. Ten snowplows were outfitted with the technology, which activates the message signs as the plows pass. The signs display a warning message, such as “Snowplow ahead: Use caution,” that stays activated for several minutes. The pilot project is part of MnDOT’s connected and automated vehicle research. Read the press release: “MnDOT tests I-35 snowplow activation of warning signs to boost safety,” January 2021. Photo by David Gonzalez, Minnesota DOT

A recent Clear Roads synthesis project surveyed state DOTs about which spreader systems they use, what features the systems have, and how satisfied the agencies are with their systems. Price, ease of use, and specific features were important factors in spreader selection, and most respondents reported being satisfied with their spreaders. The synthesis provides detail on agencies’ evaluations of their systems. Read the synthesis report: Inventory and Use of Salt Spreading Systems, January 2021. Image source: Michigan DOT

Clear Roads’ Qualified Products List (QPL) takes center stage in Episode 45 of AASHTO’s SICOP Talks Winter Ops podcast. Host Rick Nelson talks with Patti Caswell of Oregon DOT about the history and the future of the QPL, which was created by the Pacific Northwest Snowfighters consortium as a way to collectively test deicing chemicals and establish specifications for products that emphasize safety, environmental preservation, infrastructure protection, cost-effectiveness and performance. The QPL is now managed by Clear Roads, which is nearing the end of a process to update procedures and product categories to make the QPL more transparent for both agencies and vendors. Caswell chairs the Clear Roads subcommittee that oversees the QPL. Listen to the podcast: Episode 45: Qualified Product List for Deicing Chemicals, March 2021.

If you’re looking for the latest research and guidance on deicers, extreme weather, or any other aspect of winter operations, be sure to check the Transportation Research Board. A recent TRB article serves as a guide to the organization’s winter-related resources, including:

• NCHRP Research Report 889: Performance Measures in Snow and Ice Control Operations
• NCHRP Research Results Digest 387: Alternative Delivery Methods for Winter Maintenance Operations
• NCHRP Synthesis 449: Strategies to Mitigate the Impacts of Chloride Roadway Deicers on the Natural Environment

Read the article: Preparing for Winter Weather with Transportation Resources, March 2021. Image credit: Washington State DOT

An ongoing plow route optimization effort at Delaware DOT is yielding benefits for state residents. By optimizing selected routes for mileage efficiency, the department has been able to reduce snow removal service times and improve its level of service. DelDOT began its route optimization work in 2019 following a 2018 research project, and the agency is currently working to expand the effort to more areas. The agency’s successes with route optimization were featured in a recent issue of FHWA’s Every Day Counts newsletter. For more on this topic, see Clear Roads’ Plow Route Optimization Research page. Image credit: Delaware DOT

While not yet widely available, corn-based deicers have shown some promise as an environmentally friendly alternative that could reduce the use of salt. Iowa DOT researchers conducted lab tests on a series of corn-based deicer blends—mixes of salt brine and three types of corn-derived alcohols. They identified several combinations that performed well in terms of freezing-point depression, corrosion inhibition and ice-melting capacity. While cost and logistics issues must be explored further, the blends’ performance showed enough promise to warrant further study. Read the final report and two-page research brief: Corn-Based Deicers, July 2020. Image source: Iowa 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

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.