Managing Your Snow & Ice Program

Transcription

1 Managing Your Snow & Ice Program 2006 North American Snow Conference Peoria, Illinois Terry Ream, CPWS City of Edmonton Program Management In winter cities Snow & Ice Control programs are certainly one of the most important and high profile programs a municipality/agency has Usually the largest budget in roadway maintenance The City of Edmonton 2006 budget is $36 million Program Management Objectives of Snow & Ice Control To maintain roadways in such a manner as to minimize economic loss to the community To prevent or reduce hazardous roadway conditions that may cause accident or injury To facilitate the handling of emergencies by police and emergency services 1

2 Program Management Your program should include or address the following: Approved policies (approved by Council) Defined service levels Activity procedures Performance measurement (maintenance management system) Prioritized routes based on road class, traffic volumes, speed and grade Program Management Your program should include or address the following: Emphasize safety (i.e. hazard assessments) Fleet management Material management Environmental management Communication plan (internal & external) Program Management Your program should include or address the following: Weather forecasting plan Training plan for employees Method & timeframe for periodical review Flexibility for implementation of new technologies, new materials, new equipment 2

3 Policies Directing present & future decisions and reflects the general goals of your Snow & Ice Program Ensure that policies are approved by your governing council Ensure that policies are current Policies Policies should address normal winter conditions, storm & emergency conditions Policies must be flexible to allow for changing social needs & technological improvements Review policies on a regular basis Example Bare Pavement Policy # Policies Snow free condition in the driving lanes of designated snow routes. Not more than 2 cm (3/4 inch) of snow cover on roadway after plowing is completed 3

4 Service Levels Define your service levels supported by policy Defined service levels help you determine equipment & personnel required to meet objectives Service Levels Define priorities Example: Priority 1 - River Valley Hills/Fwy s Priority 2 - Over 15,000 vehicles/day Priority 3-10,000 to 15,000 vehicles/day Priority 4 - Residential transit routes Priority 5 - Rural roadways Service Levels Define service levels based on priorities 4

5 Service Levels Normal Conditions (Route Sanding) Priority 1-4 hours Priority 2-8 hours Priority 3-8 hours Priority 4-12 hours Priority 5-12 hours Storm Conditions (Route Sanding) Priority 1-2 hours Priority 2-4 hours Priority 3-4 hours Priority 4-6 hours Priority 5-6 hours Service Levels Determine equipment/manpower based on service levels Example (storm conditions) Based on 115 pass km (71.5 pass miles) per 8 hour shift: Priority km (106 miles) x 4 passes = 684 km (424 miles) divided by 28.5 pass km (17.7 miles) = 24 spreaders required Procedures A statement of procedure is a series of steps following in a definite order to implement a policy A properly authored procedure will explain in detail, the steps necessary to implement a policy or perform a task 5

6 Procedures Procedures lessen the risk of misinterpreting a policy/activity/task Some examples of winter procedures can be: Mounting a plow/sander/attachment Overtime callouts Issuance of grader blades Sanding a traffic circle Authorization of discretionary activities Procedures Example Snow Plowing - Grader Restrictions 1.1 Graders are not to be used for cleaning sidewalks on bridges or other structures 1.1A Differential icing on bridge decks during winter months makes them more hazardous than other roadway surfaces. Protective devices that prevent vehicles from going over the side of the structure become extremely important Procedures Snow Plowing - Grader Restrictions Some problems in bridge deck snow removal are: Damage to expansion joint assemblies Damage to curb and sidewalk Damage to protective railing hold-downs This is mainly due to graders being used to remove snow & ice. Snow & ice ramping in the gutter reduces or eliminates the safety feature of the curb. 6

7 Procedures Snow Plowing - Grader Restrictions These problems can be solved by using hand crews to clean these critical areas. The following procedure is effective immediately: Due to the damage of bridge joints and protective railings, grader blades must not be used on the top of curbs or sidewalks on bridge structures Activities 458, Snow Removal with Loader and 461, Walk Clearing Manual shall be followed. Walks, curb areas and gutters along both sides and centre median, if one exists, are to be cleared of snow & ice during/after storms, usually by a hand crew Procedures Snow Plowing - Grader Restrictions 1.2 Graders shall remove only windrowed snow from the curb top unless the sidewalk can be cleared from one end of block to the other (excluding bridge decks) 1.3 Graders or other removal equipment are not to be used on sidewalks on 114 Street from University Avenue to 87 Avenue due to underground tunnels 1.4 Graders, sidewalk plows or other removal equipment should not be used on wooden walks Procedures Snow Plowing - Grader Restrictions 1.5 When plowing close to bus shelters or telephone booths, care must be taken to ensure that windrows of snow are not pushed against or blocking the entrance to the facility 7

8 Performance Measurement All activities should have a standard accomplishment to measure performance against Volume, distance, area and man hours are examples of accomplishments. In the case of man hours a secondary accomplishment may be necessary as a control measurement Performance Measurement Examples Residential Plowing/Underbody Main accomp. is pass km s (miles) with a secondary accomp. of lineal km s (miles) Spot Sanding Main accomp. is man hours with a secondary accomp. of # of locations Snow Removal One accomp. of m 3 (y 3 ) Performance Measurement The easiest way to accomplish, is with a maintenance management system. There are many such systems available on the market and several jurisdictions have developed in-house systems 8

9 Best Practice Methods The program should include proven BPM s tailored for your specific needs & resource base: Social Economic Transportation needs Environmental concerns Climate, changing weather patterns Within your budgetary constraints Best Practice Methods BPM 1 - Adopt written snow & ice control policies Key elements Varying weather conditions normals/extremes Employee coverage/response Public information Road Salt/Chemicals/Abrasives Snow routes/parking Bans etc. Priorities Best Practice Methods BPM 2 - Effective Communication Internal Communication Plan Dependent on size of organization (C of E has 350 full-time and 60 seasonal staff involved in snow & ice control) Yearly snow & ice seminar Update staff, management, politicians. All receive the same message Provides a forum for Q & A s Storm event de-briefing 9

10 Best Practice Methods BPM 2 - Effective Communication External Communication Plan Policies, priorities, service levels & public s responsibilities need to be communicated to your customers & stakeholders Best Practice Methods BPM 2 - Effective Communication External Communication Plan Various methods Advertize» Brochures, TV, radio, print media, targeted mailouts Call centre/voic info line Website/ /interactive forms Town Hall meetings/focus groups Surveys/Feedback» Post event/post season Best Practice Methods BPM 3 - Environmental Management Arguably the most sensitive BPM, covering the widest range of subjects. Can be broken up into several areas with several sub-bpm s Legislation varies greatly between Canada/US. Federal, Provincial/State, Municipal regulations to follow 10

11 Best Practice Methods BPM 3 - Environmental Management Many lobby groups & watch dogs to deal with A pro-active approach with a standard set above minimum requirements is the desired way to manage this BPM Best Practice Methods BPM 3 - Environmental Management Key areas Road salts/chemical/abrasive management Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA s) Storage/handling Containment/design of road maintenance yards Select appropriate materials Optimize usage 4 R s Right material in the Right amount in the Right place at the Right time Best Practice Methods BPM 3 - Environmental Management Key areas Vegetation Management Chemical resistant vegetation Drainage/erosion control Living snow fences 11

12 Best Practice Methods BPM 3 - Environmental Management Key areas Snow storage sites Location Drainage Containment/testing/monitoring of run-off Best Practice Methods BPM 3 - Environmental Management Key areas Equipment Fuelling facility Needless idling Environmental releases/spills Preventative maintenance Best Practice Methods Other examples of BPM s Shared services/joint endeavours, purchasing Winter maintenance equipment Winter maintenance technologies Roadway/bridge design Contracting for services when appropriate/practical 12

13 Best Practice Methods Other examples of BPM s Effective routing of activities Appropriate plowing/sanding techniques Drainage/stormwater management Effective safety program Winter Maintenance Technologies De-icing Snow & Ice control during & post-event Sanding/salting/dry/wet Plowing/snow removal Winter Maintenance Technologies Anti-icing Pre-event application of a wet/dry material to create a barrier to prevent snow/ice bonding to the road surface Dependent upon local climate Timing of placement is critical Many different BPM s have been developed by different agencies addressing anti-icing 13

14 Winter Maintenance Technologies Pre-wetting The addition of a wet material (chemical brine) during application of a dry material salt or sand/salt mixture Salt requires moisture to activate Extends the effective range for salt Can be used for stickability Chemical types Available in liquids or solids Magnesium Chloride Calcium Chloride Calcium Magnesium Acetate Potassium Chloride Potassium Acetate Road Salt (Sodium Chloride) Winter Maintenance Technologies Winter Maintenance Technologies Chemical types Marketed by many companies under several brand names in various concentrations, blends, hybrids Pacific Northwest Snowfighters has an extensive approved product list as well as specs & test protocols Google pacific snowfighters 14

15 Winter Maintenance Technologies Weather Forecasting/reporting/decision making Road temp vs. air temp Customized/timely forecasting In-house/various providers ARWIS (advanced road weather information system) Winter Maintenance Technologies AVL/GPS Automated vehicle location by global positioning satellite Asset management Claims management Track material placement Operator compliance Monitor critical vehicle functions This technology is advancing very rapidly Winter Maintenance Equipment Recent rapid advancement in equipment technologies and many on the horizon Replacement/upgrade plan with the flexibility to take advantage of new technologies that may enhance your program 15

16 Winter Maintenance Equipment Choose versatile/multi-use equipment when practical. Plows can be mounted on several different pieces that are not traditionally used for plowing for example Sweepers Pothole trucks Flushers Concrete trucks, etc Winter Maintenance Equipment Pro-active preventative maintenance schedules help to ensure that equipment is usable when needed Pre-season maintenance plan for critical equipment/components Winter Maintenance Equipment Consider operator ergonomics when specifying or purchasing equipment Ergonomic assessments should be done on existing equipment Proper ergonomics help to prevent fatigue, repetitive stress injuries and provide a safer environment for your operators as well as many other benefits 16

17 Winter Maintenance Equipment Noise, vibration, field of vision, length of shifts, user friendly controls, seating Key benefits: Improved operator/bystander safety Increased productivity (usually offsets any extra costs involved) Winter Maintenance Equipment Ideally, winter maintenance equipment, as well as attachments, should be stored inside. This will aid in a quicker response. Many factors to be considered when choosing a facility; Temporary, permanent, fixed, movable, heated, space available/required, lighting, climate, $$$$$ Managing the Program Dependent on size, need, resources, budget, legislation Assign a program Manager Periodic or ongoing review of program Entire or various key elements Ongoing, post-event, seasonal, bi-yearly, etc Proactive vs. reactive 17

18 Managing the Program Dependent on size, need, resources, budget, legislation, etc Keep program/policies flexible to easily to react to changing environment & technological advancements in equipment & materials Ongoing research Measure performance on all activities Define service levels Communicate internally/externally Solicit feedback internally/externally Managing Your Snow & Ice Program 2006 North American Snow Conference Peoria, Illinois Terry Ream, CPWS City of Edmonton 18