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

Title:

Improving Winter Highway Maintenance: Case Studies for Connecticut's Consideration

Abstract:

The goal of this study was to provide a literature-based best practices/case studies review of alternative approaches for winter highway operations in use today or planned within the US or other countries that may be applicable for use in Connecticut. Case studies indicate that a coordinated management system based on quality weather data (including local forecasts, and in particular utilizing road weather information systems and forecasts, as opposed to atmospheric forecasts) and centered on a philosophy of anti-icing (including use of liquids such as salt brine and pre-wetting) can result in many positive winter highway maintenance benefits. The case studies show that a shift in overall philosophy of winter maintenance from de-icing to anti-icing can result in almost complete elimination of sand and some increase in the use of salt. The monetary savings will most likely accrue from a significant reduction in spring clean-up. Safer road conditions were reported. No negative concerns about this transition in philosophy were raised by any individual interviewed for this study. The report includes actions suggested for consideration by winter highway maintenance decision makers in Connecticut.

Source(s):

The Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, prepared fo the Connecticut DOT, Report No. FHWA-CT-RD-2246-F-06-4

http://www.ct.gov/dot/LIB/dot/documents/dresearch/CT-2246-F-06-4.pdf

Date: 2006

Author:

Aultman-Hall, Zinke

Keywords:


Snow
Ice/Frost
Anti-icing/Deicing
Institutional issues

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