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

Title:

State-of-the-Art Fixed Automated Spray Technology

Abstract:

Applying anti-icing chemical at the optimum time is critical for an effective anti-icing program. The timing of anti-icing chemical applications is especially critical for bridge structures, where icing can occur in advance of icing on normal pavements. Additionally, other highway characteristics such as ramps and steep grades can require different treatment strategies as compared to anti-icing treatments for normal pavements. Advances in technology have given highway operators a new tool to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of their anti-icing program. This tool is the fixed automated spray technology (FAST) system. The FAST system is a permanent installation of a pump, a tank, nozzles, and a controller that dispenses anti-icing chemicals directly on a predetermined area of pavement. These systems can initiate chemical applications either on manual command or be integrated with road weather information system (RWIS) to operate automatically based on detected highway conditions. The FAST system permits timely, localized, and repeated anti-icing treatments with the optimum amount of anti-icing chemicals and without the deployment of typical winter maintenance equipment and personnel. FAST systems are now in use in more than 20 U.S. states and in several locations in Canada.

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:

Waldman

Keywords:


Anti-icing/deicing chemical
Bridge
Pavement condition
Pavement temperature
Snow
Ice/Frost
Winter maintenance

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