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Best Practices for Road Weather Management Version 2.0

Best Practices > Publications > Publication Titles

Title:

Icy Road Management with Calcium Magnesium Acetate to Meet Environmental and Customer Expectations in New Zealand

Abstract:

Because of public concerns, the use of salt as a deicer for roads in New Zealand was discontinued more than 20 years ago, and icy roads have been managed since without the use of chemical deicers. A proposal to reintroduce salt as a deicing chemical was rejected by road users and environmental groups. Following investigations of alternatives, calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) was chosen as a suitable deicer and anti-icer that could meet the environmental concerns and be accepted by the road user. CMA has been introduced gradually in various parts of the country and has been closely monitored for any effects on the environment. In particular, monitoring has taken place over the past 5 years in the central North Island, where operations are within a national park and world heritage area. During that time extensive testing of streams, soil, and vegetation has been carried out, and no significant effect has been observed. This paper summarizes the environmental monitoring of CMA in the central North Island, the results obtained, the benefits and costs involved, and management practices.

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:

Burkett, Gurr

Keywords:


Environment
Benefits
Costs
Winter maintenance

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