Citation

Lamb L. APWA Reporter 2008; 75(11): 36-37.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, American Public Works Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article looks at some of the ways that local and state governments in the southern part of the U.S. are working with anti-icing strategies in order to better manage winter conditions. In Charlotte, North Carolina, maintenance crews have experimented with applying salt brine to bridges in order to prevent the sudden freezing of bridge decks. Brine and salt are also spread on bare pavement during the night in order to accommodate morning traffic on roads. Officials have found that having access to predictive pavement temperatures, and knowing how much time is needed to cover pavement areas with brine or salt, is key to anti-icing success. The article also describes successful anti-icing practices by the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) in the Dallas/Forth Worth metropolitan area. Anti-icing chemicals are now replacing abrasives which have been traditionally used for traction during snow and ice events. This has resulted in a reduction in clean-up costs and time, as well as lessening the environmental impact resulting from the use of abrasives.