Purpose: An introductory training session for local government technical personnel designed to introduce them to the concept of sound winter maintenance practices and the value of adopting a ‘sensible salting’ program encompassing all aspects of winter operations.

Learning Objectives: Reviewing the planning aspect of a sound winter maintenance program to accomplish two items:

1. Present the major components needed to develop a comprehensive sensible salting winter operations plan (concrete information that they can take with them), and…
2. Provide an overview of all aspects of a winter operations program, touching on all the various items that they need to know, hopefully sparking an interest in seeking additional information through further training or other means.

I. Session Objectives

II. "Sensible Salting"

A. What is it?

        Sensible Salting is deliberate and thought out, not just a scattering!

B. What does it mean?

        Sensible Salting means that you know what you are doing!

- you know the importance of establishing a comprehensive winter operations plan
- you know the importance of a well-trained professional crew
- you know the materials you are using and how to use them effectively and safely
- you know what equipment is available, what is needed and its effectiveness
- you know the most effective and efficient and safe methods of operations
- you know the potential liability related to winter operations and how to implement appropriate risk    management practices
- that you know how to establish and maintain an effective public relations program

III. Importance of Winter Operations

A. Devastation of a Winter Storm

            -      Photos & Cost Data

B. Key Points

- Provide a Safe Transportation System
- Keep Traffic Moving
- Maintain Business & Commerce
- Provide for Emergency Vehicles
- Reduce Liability

IV. The Importance of Planning in a Sensible Salting Program: Uncontrollable Factors

A. Weather

- Amount of Snow
- Rate of Snowfall
- Duration of Snowfall
- Timing of Storm
- Temperature
- Wind Conditions
-       Type of Snow

B. Topography

- Hills
- Bridges
- Sharp Curves

V. Major Components of a Comprehensive Sensible Salting Winter Operations Plan

A. Areas of Responsibility:

            -     Streets, parking areas, airports, public facilities
            -     Special items: drainage facilities, sidewalks, fireplugs

B. Who’s Responsible?

            -     Winter organization chart
            -     Snow Alert

C. Public Policies

- Parking Restrictions
- Emergency snow routes
- Towing of vehicles
- Sidewalk clearing
-    Disposal of snow from private property

D. Material Policies

- Purchasing procedures
- Bid contracts
- Salt
- Availability
- Performance characteristics
- Storage
- Handling
- Environmental aspects
- Abrasives
- Prewetting chemicals
- Other chemicals
- Storage centers

E. Equipment Operations

- Operator P.M.
- Breakdowns
- Salt handling equipment
- Loaders
- Conveyors
- Plows
- Types
- Plow blades
- Spreaders
- Tailgate
- V-box
- Zero-velocity
- Tow-behind
- Calibration
- Prewetting equipment
- Anti-icing equipment
- Brine production
- Spray application

F. Operations Policies

- Preparation
- Snow fence
- Obstacles
- Trees
- Equipment
- Training --- Dry runs
- Snow alert
- Weather information services
- RWIS
- Plowing
- Spreading
- Application rates
- Prewetting
- Anti-icing
- Removal/disposal
- Storm cleanup

G. Snow Map

- Routes
- Street/road priorities

H. Personnel Policies

- Working hours/shifts
- Call-out procedures
- Overtime distribution
- Unions
- Training
- Safety

I. Interdepartmental Cooperation

- Police
- Fire

J. Use of Outside Contractors

- Contracts/agreements
- Emergency back-up

K. Intergovernmental Cooperation

- Other local governments
- DOT

L. Public Relations

- Use of media/media contact person
- Pre-prepared news releases
        (policies, suggestions, resident cooperation)
- Snow service center

M. Spring Cleanup

- Equipment
- Sweep roads & streets
- Drainage facilities
- Bridge decks & structures
- Snow fence
- Stockpile condition

N. Program Evaluation & Improvement

- Post winter meeting
- Inventory materials
- Organize past winter data
-       Develop plan of action

VI. Benefits of a Sensible Salting Program

A.  Safety
B.  Economics
C.  Public Relations
D.  Environment

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