Lee Smithson, the coordinator for AASHTO's Snow and Ice Cooperative Program (SICOP) has announced that TRB has posted to its website five technical papers considered to be "Practice Ready" . They include

#1. "Guidance for Creating and Maintaining Written Snow and Ice Control Plan and Policy Documents". This paper begins on page 287 of E-C126. The paper discusses the importance, benefits, creation process and suggested content of written snow and ice control plan and policy documents for all levels of government. It also cites the experience and success of three diverse agencies to highlight the importance and utility of the documents. The paper is comprehensive and presents subject matter to guide agencies in the development of their plan and policy documents.

#2. "Providing Winter Road Maintenance Guidance, An Update of the Federal Highway Administration Maintenance Decision Support System". This paper begins on page 199 of E-C126. This paper provides an overview of the development of the Federal Prototype MDSS. It documents the five versions of the Federal Prototype that have been developed and released and the enhancement of the Rules of Practice based on field demonstrations, the addition of more chemicals types to the treatment recommendations, a frost module, etc. The paper acknowledges the importance of stakeholders and the incorporation of their feedback into the features and functions that now make up the current version of the MDSS.

#3. "Maintenance Decision Support System is not Just for State Departments of Transportation". This paper begins on page 240 of E-C126. This paper presents the use of MDSS in a county and city application. Excellent success is reported and it is anticipated they will expand MDSS to their summer operations. A study has been started to determine the direct and indirect benefits of MDSS.

#4. "An Overview of Implementation and Deployment of the Pooled Fund Study Maintenance Decision Support System". This paper begins on page 229 of E-C126. The paper describes the development of the pooled fund study (PFS) MDSS. This pooled fund has been guided by ten state DOTs and therefore accommodates a wide range of operating practices and deployment options.

#5. "Integrating Weather into Transportation Operations: A Utah Department of Transportation Case Study". This paper begins on page 318 of E-C126. The paper describes the Utah DOT Weather Operations/RWIS Program and a research project to determine how its services were being used to change and improve business practices. The project included surveys of Utah DOT maintenance foremen and construction engineers and quantitative benefit/cost analysis based on data collected regarding winter maintenance activities and outcomes.