Gain insight into NYS Department of Transportation sensible salting tactics, including success stories and best practices in snow and ice control. Session from a management-based forum hosted by the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies about the impact of road salt on natural areas and drinking water supplies, with a focus on successful salt reduction strategies being used regionally and nationally. Speaker: Rob Fitch NYSDO

1. 1
New York State
Department of Transportation
Snow and Ice Control Program:
Initiatives, Successes,
and Best Practices
Michael H. Lashmet II, PE
Office of Transportation Maintenance
Albany, NY
February 13, 2018
ANDREW M. CUOMO PAUL A. KARAS
Governor Commissioner

2. 2
Snow and Ice Control Program
• Lane-miles of Responsibility: 43,716
– 36,736 lane-miles by state
forces
– 6,980 lane-miles by 157
municipal contractors
• Field Staff:
– Permanent: 3576
– Seasonal: 365
• Residencies and Reload sites: 257

3. 3
Snow and Ice Control Program
• Large Plow Trucks: 1,469
• Tow Plows: 52
• Loaders: 341
• Snow blowers: 44
• Residencies and Reload
sites: 257

4. 4
Operational Goals
• Control of snow and ice is
mandated through NYS
Highway Law Section 12
• “The maintenance of state
highways shall include the
control of snow and ice……
• …..to provide reasonable
passage and movement of
vehicles over such highways.”

5. 5
Operational Goals
Equipment and Staffing levels are
based on:
• Average snowfall rate of 1.1
inch/hour
• Plow truck cycle times of 2 – 3
hours
• Plow route lengths of 20 – 30
lane-miles (some 40 lane-mile
routes)

6. 6
Operational Goals
Many times, challenging
conditions are encountered
• Lake effect snowfall rates at
2-4 inches per hour
• Whiteout conditions
• Ice storms
• Extreme cold

7. 7
Snow and Ice Control Program
 Salt 840,340 tons
 Treated Salt 44,110 tons
 Liquid Calcium Chloride 40,110 gals
 Liquid Mag. Chloride 147,850 gals
 Liquids / Agricultural 580 gals
 Salt Brine 1,104,830 gals
 Abrasives (Sand) 8,125 tons
(seven- year average values)

8. 8
Operational Guidelines
Modified Salt Application Rate Tables:
• Lowered initial application rates for
SNOW EVENTS by 10%
• Reduce application of salt into the
environment
• Help reduce costs by reducing salt
use
• Ensure application rates are sufficient
to maintain safe highways
• Ensure revised rates fall within
established national guidelines
(FHWA, NCHRP)

9. 9
Plow Truck Improvements
Automated Control System
• Configured for single-person plowing
• Salt application rates programmed into
control unit
• Ground speed control to reduce bounce
and scatter
• Calibrated throughout season to ensure
accuracy

10. 10
Plow Truck Improvements
Auger System
• Replaces the chain and belt
conveyor system
• Efficiently transports salt in dump
body to discharge point
• Uniform dispensing of salt
• Uniform mixing of liquids with salt
• Better control of salt use

11. 11
Plow Truck Improvements
Saddle Tanks
• Provides liquid capabilities on
plow trucks
• Creates on-demand treated
salt
• Reduces salt application
rates when appropriate
• Reduces bounce and scatter

12. 12
Plow Blade Initiatives
Two-stage plow
• Mounted behind main plow blade
• Conforms to surface irregularities (e.g.
wheel ruts)
• Removes more snow; requiring less salt
• Deployed 44 units (10 in Hudson Valley
region)
• Purchasing 64 more next year

13. 13
Plow Blade Initiatives
Kueper Blades (Pilot)
• Mounted on main plow
• Rubber inserts reduce
plow “chatter” to improve
surface contact
• Removes more snow,
requiring less salt
• Increased longevity and
less noise

14. 14
Plow Blade Initiatives
Live Edge Blade (Pilot)
• Individual blade panels
mechanically articulate
• Helps conform to irregular
pavement surfaces
• May reduce salt use

15. 15
Brine Making Program
Investment in Brine Makers
• Installed 40 brine making units
• Installing liquid storage tanks to
expand program
• Purchasing tanker trailers to transport
brine; and apply directly to pavement
• Applied nearly 1.5 million gallons last
year

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Brine Making Program
• Applicator trucks deploy pre-storm
• Brine residue “activates” with
precipitation
• Allows for reduced applications of
road salt
• Improves highway safety

17. 17
Brine Making Program
• Applicator trucks deploy pre-
storm
• Brine residue “activates” with
precipitation
• Allows for reduced applications
of road salt
• Improves highway safety

18. 18
Wash Water Recycling Initiative
Automated Brine Maker
• Collects wash water from maintenance garage
• Wash water processed into salt brine for S&I
operations
• Reclaimed 70,000 gallons in 2017
• New $610k research grant to study expanded
use of brine and wash water systems

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Salt Use Pilot in ADKs
• NYSDOT partnered with Clarkson
University, Paul Smiths College, and
local groups
• Utilizing treated salt to reduce
application rates
• Lower plow truck speeds
• 35-40% reduction in Lower Cascade
Lake chloride levels after
implementation

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Salt Storage BMPs
• Daily inspections of salt storage
facilities/housekeeping
• All salt stored undercover
• Brine tank inspections
• Spilled salt is swept up
• Vehicle wash water contained

21. 21
Salt Storage BMPs
Best
Practice
Not-so-
Best
Practice

22. 22
Automated Vehicle Location (AVL)
• All plow trucks equipped with
basic AVL service
• Situational awareness
• Engine condition/utilization
• Safety performance

23. 23
Automated Vehicle Location (AVL)
• AVL/GPS Proof of concept
project
• Three vendors
• 70 plow trucks testing
• Compiles salt application
data
• Geofencing tool for site
specific data

24. 24
Automated Vehicle Location (AVL)

25. 25
Snow and Ice Training
Snow University Program
• Managers and Supervisors
• Annually
• Focused sessions for new
managers
Equipment Operator Training
• One person plowing
• Proper material applications

26. 26
National Partnerships
• Clear Roads Winter
Maintenance Research
Consortium (36 states)
www.clearroads.org
• AASHTO Winter Maintenance
Technical Service Program
• NE/NY Maintenance Consortium

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Summary
• Operational Goals
• Implementing various
technologies
• Sensible salting
• Education and Training
• Environmental stewardship
• Public Safety

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Contact Information:
Michael H. Lashmet II, P.E.
New York State
Department of Transportation
50 Wolf Road
Albany NY 12232
518-457-5796
Michael.Lashmet@dot.ny.gov