Chlorides are effective deicers but using them can have environmental consequences.
A variety of factors, such as soil type, drainage, nearby waterways, and land use, can influence a roadside’s sensitivity to chlorides. By adjusting application rates or employing other strategies, agencies can lessen the harmful effects in locations where it’s needed most.
To help agencies identify which highway segments are most sensitive, this Clear Roads project developed
a geospatial tool that offers an analysis of environmental impacts that can be balanced against other safety and performance objectives.
Download the GIS tool, final report and two-page brief: Using GIS to Highlight Highway Segments Sensitive to Deicing Materials, June 2024.