research for winter highway maintenance Alternative Methods for Deicing Final Report Western Transportation Institute Project 1003322/CR18-05 May 2020 Pooled Fund #TPF-5(353) www.clearroads.org Alternative Methods for Deicing Task 6 Final Report By Laura Fay and Karalyn Clouser at The Western Transportation Institute Montana State University Bozeman, MT Deliverable for Clear Roads And Minnesota Department of Transportation May 14, 2020 Technical Report Documentation Page 1. Report No. 2. Government Accession No 3. Recipient’s Catalog No CR 18-05 4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date Alternative Methods for Deicing May 2020 6. Performing Organization Code 7. Authors 8. Performing Organization Laura Fay and Karalyn Clouser Report No. CR 18-05 9. Performing Organization Name & Address 10. Purchase Order No. Western Transportation Institute Montana State University 11. Contract or Grant No. PO Box 174250 No. 1003322, Work Order 4 Bozeman, MT 59717 12. Sponsoring Agency Name & Address 13. Type of Report & Period Clear Roads Pooled Fund Covered Minnesota Department of Transportation Final Report; 395 John Ireland Blvd [Feb. 2019 – May 2020] St. Paul, MN 55155-1899 14. Sponsoring Agency Code 15. Supplementary Notes Project completed for Clear Roads Pooled Fund program, TPF-5(353). See www.clearroads.org. 16. Abstract The goal of this project was to aid winter maintenance managers in better understanding the performance and impacts of alternative methods for deicing, which may be non-chloride based deicers, blends of deicing products, or methods that reduce the number of applications or application rates of deicers. To achieve this, a literature review, survey, and follow-up interviews were used to develop case studies and recommendations on automatic vehicle location (AVL), blended liquid deicing products, direct liquid application (DLA), pre-wet, slurry, mechanical snow removal methods (ice breakers, squeegee plow blades, brooms, sweepers, segmented plow blades), methods to reduce chloride use, route optimization, salt alternatives, and using data to make informed decisions (severity indices (WSI, SSI, SWI), MDSS, and dashboards). Recommendations for implementation and successful use of each case study topic are provided, followed by recommendations on how to do a lot with a little, or how to identify and implement easy and low-cost improvements. This is followed by a section on making larger investments to find improvements. These sections provide examples, identify pros and cons, and review the challenges of going from being good at something to great. Key steps for implementation are identified, and training resources are provided. Research needs and gaps are identified related to alternative methods for deicing. 17. Key Words 18. Distribution Statement Deicing, plowing, automatic vehicle location (AVL), No restrictions. This document is available to the blended liquids, direct liquid application (DLA), pre- public through the Clear Roads pooled fund program wet, slurry, ice breakers, squeegee plow blades, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation. brooms, sweepers, segmented plow blades, chloride reduction, route optimization, salt alternatives, severity indices (WSI, SSI, SWI), MDSS, dashboards 19. Security Classification 20. Security Classification 20. No. of pages 21. Price (this report) (this page) 78 -0- Unclassified Unclassified Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page is authorized Executive Summary The goal of this project is to aid winter maintenance managers in better understanding the performance and impacts of alternative methods for deicing, which may be non-chloride based deicers, blends of deicing products, or methods that reduce the number of applications or application rates of deicers. To achieve this an extensive literature search was conducted that found many published reports, journal articles, and conference papers and presentation on these topics. Key documents identified in the literature search include recent best management practices guides and specific reports on related topics. The amount of literature available highlighted the fact the many of these alternative methods for deicing are well known, documented, and tested. But what was lacking were case examples that provide information on what worked and what did not, contacts at agencies who have tried these practices, technologies, products. A survey was used to identify agencies and organizations that have or are using key practices, technologies, products and to capture more information from them. Survey responses were captured from 91 respondents from six different countries. The survey responses provided feedback on case studies that could be developed to further support winter maintenance operations. Information was then sought specifically for the following Case Studies from the literature, survey responses, and interviews were conducted; • Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) • Blended liquid Deicing Products • Direct Liquid Applications (DLA) • Pre-wet and Slurry applications • Mechanical Snow Removal Methods o Ice Breakers o Rubber, Squeegee Plow Blades o Multi-Segmented Plow Blades o Brooms, Sweepers • Methods to Reduce Chloride Use • Route Optimization • Salt Alternatives for Deicing/Anti-icing • Using Data to Make Informed Decisions o WSI/SSI o MDSS, Web MDSS o Dashboards For each developed case study, the topic is defined, and information is provided on how it is commonly used, key components, and implementation considerations, as well as examples of implementation, opportunities for future expansion, and additional resources. For some topics, where available, specific in-depth case examples were developed. Recommendations for implementation and successful use of each case study topic are provided, followed by recommendations on how to do a lot with a little, or how to identify and implement easy, low cost improvements. This is followed by a section on bringing out the big guns or make larger investments to find improvements. Both of these sections provide examples, identify pros and cons of each, review the challenge of going from being good at something to great, key steps for implementation, and training resources are provided. Research needs and gaps were identified related to alternative methods for deicing, and specifically each case study topic. These range from benefit-cost analysis of specific technologies and equipment, to better understanding of use and functionality of others. These research ideas are intended to be used by Clear Roads to advance practical usable research. Acknowledgements The research team would like to thank the Clear Roads Technical Advisory Committee members – James Morin, Joe Bucci, Joe Thompson, John DeCastro, Patti Caswell, Jan Nicolas, Rick Nelson, Tom Peters, Øystein Larsen, and Kai Lysbakken for their active role in this project. A special thank you goes out to Greg Waidley of CTC & Associates. The research team would like to thank all of the survey respondents for their participation in this research effort and extend a special thank you to the individuals and organizations who participated in follow up interviews. Finally, the research team would like to thank Dana May, Carla Little, and Neil Hetherington from the Western Transportation Institute. Table of Contents Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................... 4 Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................................... v List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables .............................................................................................................................................. viii Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1 Methodology ................................................................................................................................................. 2 Literature Review ...................................................................................................................................... 2 Survey ........................................................................................................................................................ 2 Interviews .................................................................................................................................................. 2 Case Studies .............................................................................................................................................. 3 Recommendations .................................................................................................................................... 3 Summary Survey Results ............................................................................................................................... 4 Case Studies .................................................................................................................................................. 7 Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL)