Kildare County Council

Transcription

1 Comhairle Contae Chill Dara Kildare County Council Kildare County Council WINTER SERVICE PLAN FOR ROADS 2018 / 2019 Page 1 of 21

2 1 Purpose and Scope Policy Map of the Service Plan Area Rosters Contact Details Supplementary Resources Decision Matrix & Decision Making Process Treatment Matrix Decision Matrix & Decision Making Process Naas Urban Plant, Vehicles and Equipment Details of Depots Materials & Spares Emergency Procedure Plan Review...18 APPENDIX A Map of Service Plan Area...19 APPENDIX B Duty Engineers and Duty GSSs Roster...20 APPENDIX C Naas Town Winter Maintenance Routes...21 Page 2 of 21

3 1 Purpose and Scope The purpose of this document is to identify the processes, procedures and key personnel employed by Kildare County Council, to deliver the winter service operation for County Kildare. NOTE: While this plan outlines the policies and measures that Kildare County Council will take to carry out winter maintenance on the stated public road network, it is important to note the following points: always be able to stop within a distance you can see to be clear; you need to control the car or other vehicle to the extent that you can stop without causing a problem for anyone else on the roadway. The rule means you must at all times be vigilant and exercise due care and attention. always drive having due regard to prevailing road conditions; this is common sense and means you must take account of the factors which will have an impact on your ability to drive safely and securely on the road, for example the weather, the type of road, the condition of the road, the time of day, the nature of the lighting. always drive having due regard to other users of the road; you need to take account of all of the variables you will face in any given journey, the number of cars, the speed of the traffic, are there pedestrians, cyclists, animals, what are they doing? You cannot predict or assume you have priority; you need to make full allowance for all others on the road. Road Safety Authority Rules of the Road Page 3 of 21

4 2 Policy It is the Council s policy to attempt to maintain the principal roads within the county open for traffic and free from ice at all times. The road network in County Kildare comprises all categories of road from Motorway to Local Tertiary. From mid 2013 the responsibility for general and winter maintenance of Motorways, including the N7, has been awarded to private contractors employed directly by the National Roads Authority under the Motorway Maintenance and Renewals Contract (MMaRC). Consequently, the treating of Motorways and all associated slip roads, roundabouts and interchange bridges is no longer the responsibility of the local authority. Kildare County Council has liaised with adjoining local authorities and NRA contractors in an attempt to co-ordinate on routes that cross county boundaries. Priority 1. All National Primaries / National Secondaries in the County, i.e., N81, N78. and the salted routes identified on the attached maps Priority 2. All non salted Regional roads and Public Transport routes Priority 3. All other routes Page 4 of 21

5 NOTE: Community Involvement During Severe Weather Events Schools and Community Groups Schools and Community Groups are advised to plan ahead for severe weather events and to make the necessary arrangements to have sufficient supplies of materials, plant and equipment in storage or available to them to cater for their anticipated needs during such events. Materials and equipment should be acquired in a timely manner in advance of the winter season while stocks are available. Business Sector The Commercial, Retail & Business sectors are requested to assist efforts in periods of severe weather by clearing snow and ice from footpaths in front of their premises. Legal opinion on the matter states that no legal liability exists to those carrying out such works once they are executed in a safe manner. It should be noted that the application of hot water to remove snow and ice from footpaths is not a safe or an acceptable method as more often than not the water refreezes and exacerbates the initial problem. Agricultural Sector The Local Authority will endeavour to work with rural communities & the IFA where possible. The treatment of rural roads by third parties should be carried out in accordance with national policy in this area once published. Communities / Business / Agricultural / Educational are advised that the Priority Routes listed above are those routes which the Local Authority has included for treatment as part of the winter service programme. These routes will be treated as part of the normal winter service where resources allow. Communities / Business / Agricultural / Educational Sectors are advised that they should make the necessary arrangements in advance of severe weather events to ensure adequate materials & supplies are available to them to meet their anticipated needs during such events. It should be noted that, it may not be possible to treat all or part of the Priority 1 routes due to vehicle breakdown and or shortage of Human Resources Page 5 of 21

6 Treatment Target Mobilisation Time Target Treatment Time Time 2 hours 3 hours 3 Map of the Service Plan Area The map in Appendix A indicates the routes which Kildare County Council will attempt to treat. 4 Rosters Rosters have been prepared & distributed to relevant personnel involved with the delivery of winter service operations. KCC plant operators delivering the winter maintenance operations are rostered on a week on / week off basis. 5 Contact Details Shown below are the contact details for the individuals named in the plan. Garda Stations Naas Kildare Leixlip Athy Ambulance and Fire Department 112 or 999 Kildare County Council Emergency Number Page 6 of 21

7 6 Supplementary Resources In the event that Kildare County Council resources are fully utilised, the Defence Forces are available to assist in carrying out works that the Council cannot reach. The Duty Officer at the Curragh Camp is available to provide additional transport and manpower to assist the Council as required. Page 7 of 21

8 7 Decision Matrix & Decision Making Process It should be noted that the lorries used to grit the roads, and their drivers, work the normal 8 am to 4.30 pm shift and in all cases operate their routes from the relevant depot (Machinery Yard, Newbridge, Downings Pit Prosperous or Gallowshill, Athy). The duty engineer consults the IceCast system on a daily basis. The first weather condition update is received at 2 p.m. Where no icy conditions are forecast, no action is taken. In some circumstances, it is possible to determine when gritting is to take place by this time. Duty Engineers will normally contact the Winter Services Overseers (WSO) before 3.30pm each day to inform him of the action to be taken for the next 24 hours. If, due to weather uncertainties, the decision to salt / not salt cannot be definitively made at this time, the WSO will be asked to inform all the drivers of this and to await further instructions. If the Duty Engineer cannot contact the WSO for whatever reason, he or she should text his instructions and persistently try to call him until contact is made. If drivers have been left on standby, the definitive decision to salt / not salt will be made during the afternoon and evening and this decision will be communicated to the WSO. In normal circumstances, the latest that this decision will be made will be immediately after the Weather forecast following the 9pm news (usually 9.30pm). A decision will be made and communicated at that time. It will include the decision to go ahead and salt roads at a specified time or a decision not to salt roads. Loading of salt takes place in the Machinery Yard Depot in Newbridge, Downings Pit, which is the Maynooth MD Section Depot near Prosperous and the Gallowshill Depot in Athy. Loading only takes place in these depots once an instruction to salt has been given. Loading takes place in a one hour window preceding the start time of the run i.e. if a run is scheduled to start at 11pm, loading takes place between 10pm and 11pm. Page 8 of 21

9 If the decision is to salt roads at a specified time then the Duty Engineer will continue to monitor the weather in cases where a marginal improvement would permit cancellation of the salting run. In the event that the Duty Engineer considers that the decision to salt should be reversed due to less severe conditions being forecast then the Duty Engineer informs the WSO, and the WSO then subsequently informs the drivers of the decision. Where salting is required over a weekend, the process outlined above is followed. The salted roads are those, which have been identified as Priority 1 routes on the attached maps The timing of the salting run is intended to pre-treat the roads prior to the time of forecasted ice formation. The object is to treat the road as close to this time as is feasible. The target rate of spread of salt in County Kildare is 15g/m 2. In the past, reduced rates have been attempted but without success. The rate of spread may be varied during prolonged periods of bad weather. In prolonged spells of bad weather a combined salt / grit mixture may be used. The rate of spread of salt shall be kept under review and may be altered depending on weather conditions. Where snow is forecast, snowblades are fitted to Council vehicles, and they will be used where a sufficient depth of snow exists for their deployment. Where such conditions are forecast, intensive engagement with Met Eireann better informs the Duty Engineer as to the timing of treatment. Lorries with snowblades mounted to the front, are more difficult to manovour on narrow roads, which form a significant portion of the Priority 1 routes. For this reason the snowblades should only be mounted, when there is a significant or high risk of snowfall. In some situations, a salt / grit mixture is appropriate, and where hard packed snow has formed, grit is applied. It is important that grit used in these circumstances is dry. Page 9 of 21

10 Decision Matrix The table below indicates the decision matrix used by the Duty Engineer when deciding on a winter service call out. Road Surface Predicted Road Conditions Precipitation Temperature Wet Wet Patches Dry No rain May fall below No hoar frost No action likely, 0 C No fog monitor Salt before frost No rain weather No hoar frost Salt before frost No fog Expected hoar frost Salt before frost (see note a) Expected fog Expected to fall Expected rain Salt after rain stops (see note b) below 0 C before freezing Expected rain Salt before frost, as required during rain and after during freezing rain stops (see note c) Possible rain Monitor Possible hoar Salt before frost weather frost conditions Possible fog Expected Snow Salt before snow fall The decision to undertake precautionary treatments should be, if appropriate, adjusted to take account of residual salt or surface moisture. All decisions should be evidence based, recorded and require careful monitoring and review. Notes: (a) When a weather warning contains reference to expected hoar frost, considerable deposits of frost can occur. Hoar frost usually occurs in the early morning and is difficult to cater for because of the probability that any salt deposited on a dry road too soon before its onset, may be dispersed before it can become effective. Careful monitoring is required under this forecast condition which should ideally be treated Page 10 of 21

11 just as the hoar frost is forming. Such action is usually not practicable and salt may have to be deposited on a dry road prior to but as close as possible to the expected time of the condition. Hoar frost may also be forecast at other times of the day, in which case the timing of salting operations should be adjusted accordingly. (b) If under these conditions, rain has not ceased by early morning, crews should be called out and action initiated as rain ceases. Where possible, salting will be timed to coincide with the end of rainfall. (c) Under these circumstances rain will freeze on contact with running surfaces and full precautionary treatment should be provided even on dry roads. This is a most serious condition. 8 Treatment Matrix The following table illustrates the treatment matrix to be used for dry unmodified salt. If using materials other than dry unmodified salt, a modified version of this table should be prepared and included in this Winter Service Plan which shall be based on documented evidence and the specification of suppliers. Treatment Matrix Guide for Dry Unmodified Salt Weather Conditions Road Surface Conditions Road Surface Temperature (RST) Frost or forecast frost RST at or above -2 C Frost or forecast frost RST below -2 C and above -5 C Frost or forecast frost RST below -5 C and above -10 C and dry or damp road conditions Treatment Air Temperature Salt Spread Rate (gm/m 2 ) Ploughing 15 No 15 No 15 No Page 11 of 21

12 Weather Conditions Road Surface Conditions Road Surface Temperature (RST) Treatment Air Temperature Salt Spread Rate (gm/m 2 ) Frost or forecast frost RST below -5 C and above -10 C and wet road conditions (existing or Minimum 1 run X 15 anticipated) Light snow forecast (<10mm) Minimum 1 run X 15 and reload Forecast for Medium/heavy snow or Minimum 1 run X 15 a freezing rain forecast and reload Ice formed Above -5 C 15 Ice formed At or below Minimum 1 run X 15-5 C and reload 15 to supplement Snow covering exceeding 30mm ploughing, up to two runs X 15 on if temperatures are falling Snow accumulations due to 1 to two runs X 15 on to prolonged falls supplement ploughing Successive treatments Hard packed snow/ice Above -8 C at 15 (repeat as needed) Successive treatments Hard packed snow/ice At or below at 15, supplemented by -8 C abrasives (repeat as needed) Successive treatments Sustained low temperatures Below -10 C at 15 during prolonged periods of bad weather Successive treatments Hard packed snow/ice At or below at 15, supplemented by -8 C abrasives (repeat as needed) Sustained low temperatures Below -10 C Successive treatments at 15 Ploughing No Ploughs mounted Ploughs mounted Not possible Not possible Required Required Not possible Not possible Not possible Not possible Not possible Page 12 of 21

13 Notes: (a) Rate of spread for precautionary treatments may be adjusted to take account of variations occurring along the route such as residual salt, surface moisture (in the air or on the road surface) and traffic density. (b) All Kildare County Council salt is currently stored outside. The target rate of spread for this salt is 15gm/m 2. The capacity of gritters and the length of routes currently salted limit the ability to exceed this rate. (c) All decisions should be forecast based, recorded and require careful monitoring and review. (d) Ice refers to all ice on the road surface, including black ice. (e) A decision to plough is taken by the GSS s based on the local conditions in their area. This is due to the localised nature of snowfall events and the variation that may occur throughout the county. (f) When a truck is ploughing on a route, it will continue to do so on unsalted sections of the route. (g) During prolonged periods of bad weather it may be necessary to prioritise resources on National Primary and or Secondary roads. In such events other Priority 1 routes may be omitted if resources are unavailable. (h) Decisions to send out a second salting run shall be based on monitoring of the weather conditions during the night. (i) The earliest start time for a salting run is 8.00pm, as traffic volumes on the routes prevent salt being deposited on the road at the required spread rate before this time Page 13 of 21

14 (j) The latest start time for a salting run is 4.00am, as traffic volumes on the routes prevent salt being deposited on the road at the required spread rate before the salting run is completed (k) A double salting run is not required, if the first salting run commences after midnight as there is sufficient residual salt on the roads (l) On the basis of multiple salting runs on previous nights without any wet weather periods, the Duty Engineer can reduce the requirement for salting runs. (m) In certain or extreme circumstances and based on the discretion of the Municipal District Engineer, roads other than those on the official routes, may be treated on an unplanned basis Page 14 of 21

15 9 Decision Matrix & Decision Making Process (Naas Urban) As per decision making process and matrix for the county. When conditions are expected to be such that salting is required for the morning traffic associated with the urban roads in Naas (6.00 am to am) salting will commence at 4.00 am subject to weather conditions (no precipitation) or as soon after that as possible. Under normal circumstances no double runs should be required. Plant, Vehicles and Equipment The following details the plant and equipment available to delivery winter service operations: 1 No. Tractor with Salt Spreader 1 No Salt Spreader towed from NTC vehicle 2 No. Snow Clearing machines for footpaths Details of Depot Salt Depots Indoor / Outdoor Maximum Capacity Headermans Yard, Naas Roofed facility 60 tonnes Storage / Loading Additional depots that come on stream may be used as loading points if desirable and it is safe to do so. Route Map See Appendix C Page 15 of 21

16 10 Plant, Vehicles and Equipment The table which follows details the plant and equipment available to Kildare County Council to delivery winter service operations Truck Gritter Year Area Snowblade 2 Daf 12 Romaquip 2002 Allenwood/Johnstownbridge/ 10 Snowblade Enfield/ Clane/Prosperous/Maynooth 4 Daf 14 Romaquip 2002 Kilcock/Maynooth/Celbridge/Leixlip 13 Snowblade 21 Renault 13 Romaquip 2011 Rathangan/Newbridge/Kilmeague /Allenwood/Choill Dubh 20 Renault 19 Romaquip 2011 Newbridge/Curragh/Suncroft/ Monasterevin/Kildangan 3 Daf 11 Romaquip 2005 Newbridge/Naas/Johnstown/Kill /Clane/Prosperous Newbridge/Kilcullen/Naas/Ballymore 16 Renault 15 Romaquip 2005 Eustace/Blessington 21 Snowblade 20 Snowblade 17 Snowblade 16 Snowblade 19 Renault 16 Romaquip 2011 Athy/Kilcullen/Kildangan/Nurney 19 Snowblade 5 Daf 18 Romaquip 2002 Athy/Wicklow CC Boundary/Laois CC Boundary/Carlow CC Boundary 6 Daf 9 Romaquip 2002 Kildare/Monasterevin/Kildangan/ Rathangan/Clonbullogue/Rathangan Killinagh/Allenwood 9 Snowblade 11 Snowblade Back up vehicles 17 Renault 18 Romaquip Snowblade 13 Renault 10 Romaquip Snowblade Page 16 of 21

17 11 Details of Depots Salt Depots Indoor / Outdoor Maximum Capacity Machinery Yard Newbridge Outdoor & Covered 2,000 Storage / Loading Gallowshill, Athy Outdoor & Covered 1,200 Storage / Loading Downings, Prosperous Outdoor & Covered 300 Storage / Loading The Machinery Yard in Newbridge is the principal depot used. Five lorries will load in the yard using JCB & ramp. Two lorries will also load from Athy maintenance depot and another two lorries will load from Prosperous maintenance depot. Additional depots that come on stream may be used as loading points if desirable and it is safe to do so. 12 Materials & Spares Salt The salt for Winter Service Operations is now supplied by the National Roads Authority & Department of Transport / Waterford County Council through two framework agreements for the supply of de-icing materials. Orders for de-icing materials for Regional and Local Roads are to be logged online through the NRA online portal Fuel Fuel for the winter service period is stored in the Machinery Yard Depot in Newbridge. The minimum level of fuel to be maintained at any supply source is 50% Page 17 of 21

18 of its capacity. The Kildare County Council Storeman is responsible for the reordering of fuel and he will be monitoring same. Spares Spare parts for winter service machinery are stored at the Machinery Yard, Newbridge. The Machinery Superintendent, is responsible for the ordering of all parts associated with the maintenance or repair of Kildare County Councils Winter Service Fleet. The Machinery Superintendent should be contacted immediately in the event of a failure or breakdown of any piece of winter service plant or equipment. The contact details for The Machinery Superintendent is Phone: Emergency Procedure In the event that Kildare County Council Duty Engineers or overseers are contacted by the emergency services (Guards, Fire Service, Control Centre) regarding additional salting routes or areas, then the procedure is to note the request, the person making the request and review whether to incorporate the request in subsequent salt runs It will not be possible to alter a salt run immediately on the basis of a request from the emergency services in the interest of health and safety of the machinery operators. 14 Plan Review The Winter Service Plan is considered a live document subject to change during the winter season. The Plan may be altered in response to changes in resources, strategy and experience gained. Current planned treatment priorities will be available on Kildare County Council s website. Page 18 of 21

19 APPENDIX A Map of Service Plan Area Page 19 of 21

20 APPENDIX B Duty Engineers Roster and GSSs Duty Engineers Jonathan Deane, Dave O'Flaherty, Brenda Cuddy Brendan Sinnott Cyril Buggie David Reel, Duty GSSs NAME Dave Hutchinson Pat Dunne Bobby Moran Joe Sharpe Mick Cronley Sean McKeown Noel Hughes Pat Healy Ken Hall AREA Athy Athy Celbridge / Leixlip Celbridge/Leixlip Maynooth Newbridge / Kildare Naas Naas Machinery Yard Page 20 of 21

21 APPENDIX C Naas Town Winter Maintenance Routes Page 21 of 21