Project webinars and videos are also available on the Clear Roads YouTube channel.
Research Project Webinars
Clear Roads project webinars provide an inside look at completed research by capturing the investigators’ final presentations of their work. For more information on any of the studies below, click the project number.
Using GIS to Highlight Highway Segments Sensitive to Deicing Materials – Project 20-05
Investigator final presentation by Mark Gallagher of SRF Consulting Group.
March 2024.
Standard Test Procedures for Ice Melting Capacity of Deicers – Project 18-06
Investigator final presentation by Xianming Shi of Washington State University.
March 2024.
Calculating Plow Cycle Times from AVL Data – Project 21-06
Investigator final presentation by Ming-Shiun Lee and Mallory Crow of AECOM.
February 2024.
Efficacy, Cost, and Impacts of Non-Chloride Deicers – Project 21-03
Investigator final presentation by Laura Fay of Montana State University.
September 2023.
Evaluation of Electric Vehicle Technologies and Alternative Fuels for Winter Operations – Project 21-05
Investigator final presentation by Katherine Vigneau of Matrix Consulting Group.
March 2023.
Expanded Use of AVL/GPS Technology – Project 20-04
Investigator final presentation by Ming-Shiun Lee of AECOM.
January 2023.
High Performance Blade Evaluation – Project 18-02
Investigator final presentation by William Schneider of the University of Akron.
January 2023.
Understanding the NaCl Phase Diagram – Project 20-02
Investigator final presentation by Laura Fay of Montana State University.
June 2022.
Measuring the Efficiencies of Tow Plows and Wing Plows – Project 19-03
Investigator final presentation by Ty Lasky of University of California-Davis.
January 2022.
Expanding Application Rate Guidance for Salt Brine Blends for Direct Liquid Application and Anti-icing – Project 19-01
Investigator final presentation by David Noyce and Andrea Bill of University of Wisconsin-Madison.
December 2021.
Synthesis of Technical Requirements and Considerations for Automated Snowplow Route Optimization – Project 19-04
Investigator final presentation by Jonathan Dowds of University of Vermont Transportation Research Center.
October 2021.
Entry-Level Driver Training (CDL) for Maintenance Equipment Operators – Project 20-01
Investigator final presentation by Laura Fay of the Western Transportation Institute.
September 2021.
Recruitment and Retention of Highway Maintenance Workers – Project 19-02
Investigator final presentation by Laura Fay of the Western Transportation Institute.
June 2021.
Review and Summary of Pre-wet Methods and Procedures – Project 18-04
Investigator final presentation by Xianming Shi of Washington State University.
June 2021.
Aftermarket Cameras in Winter Maintenance Vehicles – Project 17-03
Investigator final presentation by Mark Gallagher of SRF Consulting Group.
June 2021.
Evaluation of SSI and WSI Variables – Project 18-03
Investigator final presentation by Chris Albrecht of the Narwhal Group and Laura Fay of Montana State University.
December 2020.
Integrating Advanced Technologies into Winter Operations Decisions – Project 17-01
Investigator final presentation by Chris Curd of SRF Consulting Group.
December 2020.
Defensive Driving for Snowplow Operators – Project 18-01
Investigator final presentation by Matthew Camden of Virginia Tech.
August 2020.
Alternative Methods for Deicing – Project 18-05
Investigator final presentation by Laura Fay and Karalyn Clouser of Montana State University.
May 2020.
Standard Specifications for Plow Blades with Carbide Inserts – Project 17-02
Investigator final presentation by Eric Minge and Jeremy Sala of SRF Consulting Group.
March 2020.
Standards and Guidance for Using Mobile Sensor Technology to Assess Winter Road Conditions – Project 16-03
Investigator final presentation by Mark Gallagher and Kate Hvizdos of SRF Consulting Group.
April 2019.
AWSSI Enhancements in Support of Winter Road Maintenance – Project 16-02
Investigator final presentation by Mike Timlin and Steve Hilberg of the Midwestern Regional Climate Center.
February 2019.
Synthesis of Material Application Methodologies for Winter Operations – Project 15-01
Investigator final presentation by Michelle Akin of Washington State University.
February 2019.
Developing a Training Video and Manual for Best Practices and Techniques in Clearing Different Interchange Configurations and Other Geometric Layouts – Project 14-03
Investigator final presentation by Yan Qi of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
October 2018.
Utilization of AVL/GPS Technology: Case Studies – Project 16-01
Investigator final presentation by Ming-Shiun Lee and Dan Nelson of AECOM.
August 2018.
Emergency Operations Methodology for Extreme Winter Storm Events – Project 16-04
Investigator final presentation by Jim Sullivan of the University of Vermont.
June 2018.
Quantifying the Impact That New Capital Projects Will Have on Roadway Snow and Ice Control Operations – Project 14-02
Investigator final presentation by Jim Sullivan of the University of Vermont.
November 2017.
Identification and Recommendations for Correction of Equipment Factors Causing Fatigue in Snowplow Operators – Project 15-02
Investigator final presentation by Matt Camden and Jeff Hickman of Virginia Tech.
October 2017.
North American Study on Contracting Snow and Ice Response – Project 15-03
Investigator final presentation by Laura Fay of Montana State University.
December 2016.
Identifying Best Practices for Snowplow Route Optimization – Project 14-07
Investigator final presentation by Jonathan Dowds of the University of Vermont Transportation Research Center.
November 2016.
Plug-and-Play Initiative: Phase II – Project 14-04
Investigator final presentation by Scott Petersen of SRF Consulting Group.
November 2016.
Snow Removal Performance Metrics, Phase 1 – Project 14-05
Investigator final presentation by Xianming Shi of Washington State University.
June 2016.
Synthesis on GPS/AVL Equipment Used for Winter Maintenance – Project 14-01
Investigator final presentation by Adrian Potter, Clayton Bayer and Mark Gallagher of SRF Consulting.
May 2016.
Roadway Salt Best Management Practices – Project 14-10
Investigator final presentation by Wilfrid Nixon of the Salt Institute and Mark DeVries of Vaisala Inc.
December 2015.
Liquid Agricultural By-Products and Solid Complex Chloride/Mineral Products – Project 13-02
Investigator final presentation by Laura Fay of the Western Transportation Institute.
November 2015.
Use of Equipment Lighting During Snowplow Operations – Project 14-06
Investigator final presentation by Laura Fay of the Western Transportation Institute.
October 2015.
Benefit-Cost of Various Winter Maintenance Strategies – Project 13-03
Investigator final presentation by Laura Fay of the Western Transportation Institute.
September 2015.
Snow and Ice Control Environmental Best Management Practices Manual – Project 13-01
Investigator final presentation by Laura Fay of the Western Transportation Institute.
June 2015.
Best Practices for the Prevention of Corrosion to DOT Equipment: A User’s Manual – Project 13-04
Investigator final presentation by Laura Fay of the Western Transportation Institute.
May 2015.
Development of a Totally Automated Spreader System – Project 11-03
Investigator final presentation by Todd Thompson and Greg Thompson of Thompson Engineering Company.
May 2014.
Plug and Play Initiative – Project 12-06
Review of the proposed plug-and-play protocol by Bill Haley of FORCE America.
January 2014.
Understanding the True Costs of Snow and Ice Control – Project 10-03
Investigator final presentation by Andrew Cadmus of Parsons Brinckerhoff.
December 2013.
Determining the Toxicity of Deicing Materials – Project 11-02
Investigator final presentation by Keith Pilgrim of Barr Engineering Company.
December 2013.
Implementation Webinars
Entry-Level Driver Training Panel Discussion
Doug McLaughlin, Ohio DOT Statewide Training Supervisor.
November 2022
Maine DOT’s Experience Using the Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index (AWSSI)
Brian Burne, Maine DOT Highway Maintenance Engineer
June 2024
Clear Roads Training Videos
Educational resources for plow operators, managers, and other snow and ice professionals.
Techniques for Plowing Complex Interchanges – Project 14-03
An hour-long video that provides animated sequences of efficient plowing paths for 10 different interchange and intersection configurations (also available as a video series). A practice manual and reference cards complement the video training. 2018.
Training Video for Field Testing of Deicing Materials – Project 10-01
A step-by-step instructional video that outlines the three levels of field testing that DOT staff can perform to determine the effectiveness of a deicing chemical. The video demonstrates the methodology used in the Field Guide for Testing Deicing Chemicals. 2012.
Multiple-Blade Plow Project
This project tested four innovative prototype snowplows capable of tackling a range of winter road conditions with the use of multiple blades. See the project page for more information.
Indiana DOT Prototype
Quad-camera footage of Indiana DOT’s multiple-blade plow prototype clearing snow. Video courtesy of Indiana DOT.
Iowa DOT Prototype
Footage of Iowa DOT’s multiple-blade plow prototype in action, including the squeegee blade effectively clearing slush and all three blades (carbide, scarifier and squeegee) working together to clear packed snow. Video courtesy of Iowa DOT. 2006-2007.
Iowa DOT – Road Before and After
Quad-camera view of Iowa DOT’s prototype clearing a snowy road. Video courtesy of Iowa DOT.
2007.
Iowa DOT – Slush Blade Removing Water
Footage of the slush blade clearing water from the road. Video courtesy of Iowa DOT.
2008.
Indiana DOT – Slush Blade Operation
Lowering and raising the slush blade on the Indiana prototype. Video courtesy of Indiana DOT.
2010.
Links: Winter Maintenance Videos
Winter maintenance videos from other agencies.
Public Safety/Informational
Arizona DOT at Work (AASHTO)
Winter Driving Survival Guide (AASHTO)
Operator Training
Winter Operations Training Series (Iowa DOT)
Tow Plow Training (Michigan DOT)