Snow Fences Prove To Be a Valuable Maintenance Tool
Lightweight snow fences are protecting roadways in Nevada, thereby increasing motorist safety and reducing snow removal efforts.
The Challenge
Motorists and highway workers in Elko, Nevada, must often contend with drifting snow that blocks roads and reduces visibility, creating hazardous driving conditions. Clearing the roads also requires a substantial investment of time by maintenance crews.
Developing a Strategy
To provide better winter driving conditions and reduce the time spent by maintenance crews on snow removal operations, the Nevada Department of Transportation (DOT) decided to try new snow fences constructed in accordance with the criteria developed by the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP).
Putting the Strategy to the Test
In 1994 and 1995, Nevada DOT maintenance crews in the Elko district installed sections of snow fence along U.S. 93, U.S. 93A, and State Route 225. The 1-m-high (4-ft) snow fences were placed between 9 m (31 ft) and 49 m (160 ft) from the roadway.
What They Learned
The winter of 1994-95 was a mild one, so the snow fences' capabilities were not really tested until the following year. During the many storms of 1995-96, Nevada DOT found that snow fences placed the proper distance from the highway showed impressive results. "Our drift fence placed 160 ft [49 m] from the road's edge worked really well," said R.P. Loncar, highway supervisor in Nevada DOT's Wendover maintenance office. "The fence stored a drift 45 inches [114 cm] high, 6 feet [2 m] from the fence and extending 126 feet [38 m]. I estimate that the snow that drifted onto the road was one-fifth as much as experienced in the past. Visibility throughout the fenced areas was much better than those without protection."
In contrast, a snow fence that by necessity had to be installed only 9 m (31 ft) from the highway was less effective. While the fence worked well at first, the snow eventually got too deep and overwhelmed the height of the panels.
Some maintenance supervisors believe the snow fences should be taller. Rod Woldridge of Nevada DOT's North Fork maintenance station says, "The 4-foot [1 m] high drift fence placed 140 feet [13 m] from the edge of the road has made a good improvement in visibility and in keeping drifts off the highway. But I don't think the fence is high enough as it recently was completely covered over with snow."
While some in the DOT would like to see taller fences, overall they felt the experiment was successful. Several maintenance stations have requested more fences.
The Benefits
- By protecting roadways, snow fences have increased motorist safety and made snow removal easier.
- Using the new snow fences has enabled Nevada DOT to cut costs for labor and equipment.
