SNOW DRIFT CONTROL THROUGH HIGHWAY DESIGN
IN AREAS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO LARGE AND FREQUENT SNOWFALLS, DRIFTING SNOW ON HIGHWAYS PRESENTS A SERIOUS MAINTENANCE PROBLEM. IN THE ARTICLE PRESENTED HERE, THE AUTHOR DISCUSSES RESEARCH THAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED IN THIS FIELD AND PRESENTS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM OF SNOW DRIFT CONTROL. IN MANY AREAS OF THE COUNTRY, PARTICULARLY IN THE NORTHERN STATES, THE MAINTENANCE COSTS OF HIGHWAYS DURING THE SNOW SEASON CAN BE REDUCED CONSIDERABLY IF THE PROBLEM OF DRIFTING SNOW IS CONSIDERED IN THE DESIGN STAGES. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT WHERE THE TOPOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE, THE SWEEP OF THE WIND CAN BE USED TO CONTROL THE ACCUMULATION OF SNOWDRIFT ON THE HIGHWAYS. IN AREAS WHERE BLOWING SNOW IS A PROBLEM, INFORMATION ON PREVAILING WINDS AND DRIFTING SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE SELECTION OF A HIGHWAY LOCATION. THE PROFILE AND CROSS SECTIONAL DESIGN CAN ALSO PROVIDE SNOW CONTROL BY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE WIND AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN A HIGHWAY IS INITIALLY PLANNED OR WHEN RECONSTRUCTION FOR SNOW CONTROL IS PLANNED. APPURTENANCES SUCH AS CURBS, GUARDRAILS, FENCES, SIGNS, ETC. MUST ALSO ENTER INTO CONSIDERATION FOR SNOW CONTROL BECAUSE THEY ARE OBSTACLES TO THE FREE MOVEMENT OF THE WIND AND THEREFORE CONTRIBUTE TO THE FORMATION OF DRIFTS. BY GENERALLY STREAMLINING THE AREA SURROUNDING THE HIGHWAY, DRIFTING IS MINIMIZED, THE ESTHETIC QUALITIES ARE ENHANCED, AND THE OPERATIONAL SAFETY IS INCREASED. /AUTHOR/
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1586080
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Supplemental Notes:
- Vol 34, No 11, PP 227-234
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Authors:
- Cron, F W
- Publication Date: 1967-12
Media Info
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Serial:
- Public Roads
- Publisher: Federal Highway Administration
- ISSN: 0033-3735
- Serial URL: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publicroads/
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Publication flags:
Open Access (libre)
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Curbs; Fences; Guardrails; Highway design; Highway safety; Highways; Location; Maintenance management; Signs; Snow and ice control; Snowdrifts; Wind
- Uncontrolled Terms: Highway location; Maintenance costs
- Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00218232
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Jan 24 1994 12:00AM