Road Weather Management Program
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Best Practices for Road Weather Management Version 2.0

Title:

Implementation of New Sanding Method in Norway

Abstract:

One of the main achievements in the Winter Friction Project in Norway has been the development of a new sanding method based on a mix of hot water and sand. The most significant factors in this method are the sand quality, the amount of water, the spreading speed, and the water temperature. The sand should be of a specified quality corresponding to a 0 to 4-mm gradation. Hot water means that the water temperature is 90 degrees C to 95 degrees C. The amount of water in the mixture of sand and water is approximately 30-weight percentage, and the normal dosage of sand used is equivalent to 200 g/m2 as an average. Scientific studies have revealed that measures carried out with the new sanding method last longer than traditional sanding methods. It has been proved that by adding warm water to the sand it is easy to maintain a friction level above the standard even after the passage of 2,000 vehicles. Under favorable road and weather conditions, satisfactory friction values have been maintained for up to 3 to 7 days on roads with annual average daily traffic of 1,500 vehicles. The introduction of wet gritting means substantial improvement, both in regard to friction and in time of effect.

Source(s):

6th International Symposium on Snow Removal and Ice Control Technology, Transportation Research Circular, No. E-C063

http://trb.org/publications/circulars/ec063.pdf

Date: 2004

Author:

Vaa

Keywords:


Pavement friction
Winter maintenance

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