There are two ways we treat the roads during winter called anti-icing and de-icing.
Before a storm, we anti-ice the roads by applying a liquid solution to them. This solution prevents snow and ice from binding to the pavement and lowers the temperature that water freezes. The reason we apply a liquid and not solid salt is that the dry salt is blown away or bounces off the roads when applied before precipitation moistens them. Once precipitation begins, we begin to apply rock salt which requires moisture to be effective.
During and after a storm, we work to de-ice the roads. We remove the ice and snow from the surface of the road by plowing and applying additional materials to the surface of the roads. This helps to loosen the ice and snow from the pavement, while also lowering the freezing point of water.
You may also see some materials spread along a cleared highway after a snowstorm. This post-storm treatment is applied to the roads to prevent them from re-freezing during nighttime.
There are 5 types of materials we use to treat the roads for snow and ice,
Rock salt breaks up ice and prevents it from sticking to the pavement.
It is widely available, effective, and inexpensive compared to other de-icing/anti-icing materials.
However, it is corrosive and can harm the environment if over-applied. It also does not work well at lower temperatures,
Liquid magnesium chloride prevents snow and ice from sticking to the roads.
It works in lower temperatures, and is less harmful to both the environment and snow plows.
However, it is expensive and must be applied at specific times.
Brine prevents snow and ice from sticking to the pavement.
It is effective for pre-treatment, and easy to apply to the roads.
It is less expensive and has fewer restrictions on when it can be applied.
However, it does not work well at extremely low temperatures.
Sand is inexpensive and effective at increasing traction at lower temperatures.
However, it does not melt snow and ice, and loses its angularity, and thus its traction, rapidly.
As sand can clog drains, it must be removed from the roadway, roadsides, and storm drains and disposed of.
Pre-mix is used in “reduced salt” areas, and in areas of lower air temperatures.
It is less harmful to the environment than other materials, and effective at lower temperatures.
However, it is an expensive material that has to be stored and kept dry
so why should we spend $thousands to hire "experts" to tell us this?
ReplyDeleteRight ! Between Blownnot88 and the rest of the crew here ! We can solve all the problems !
ReplyDeleteSorry * blownot88 ! Misspelled your awesome blogger name
ReplyDeleteThe above post is from MA DOT and shows how easy and available information is on that subject. Having the information or even a plan solves nothing if the plan is not followed, as in who is going to be called in the middle of the night to say there is enough snow so begin plowing, or is the town going to continue to sand with 3, 4 or more inches of snow on the roads? For instance, where is the plan to build a salt storage building? How many options have these selectmen looked at, inquired about? The selectmen stated there was about $190,000.00 in left over free cash (unspent tax dollars, so did they put that into the capital stabilization fund to be used to help pay for a new salt storage building? No they did not. Rather than plan and even bid out or inquire size, volume and cost, they are going to hire a consultant. Templeton is in highway district 2, which has a depot on 202 N. Probably could schedule a visit and inquire without spending a dime! Save the money for the building first. Have selectmen inquired to manufacturer's or dealers with regards to liquid deicer/ anti-icing? Again, all things that require little if any spending of dollars. Watch for nice inflated snow & ice deficit next spring! Now, about that three bean salad?
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