Getting ready for the big freeze

The preparations undertaken by the Highways Agency in the UK to prepare for the winter 2005/2006 are described. These included developing a new Winter Service Plan for each Agency area; inspecting and servicing snowplough gritters, plant and salt loading hoppers; ensuring there are enough trained gritter operatives; conducting maintenance on Winter Service Compounds; and restocking Salt Storage Barns. The Highways Agency's 33 Road Weather Information Stations and liaison with the Met Office have an important role in weather forecasting. A number of simulated Snow Desk scenarios are held in October to test the systems. Precautionary salting (10-20 g/m2 dosage) is undertaken when there is a risk of freezing temperatures. All gritting routes can be completed within 3 hours of an instruction. During snowfall conditions, salt can be spread at up to 40 g/m2, supplemented by snow ploughing. The Highways Agency has 23 Snow Blowers, located at known trouble spots. Highways Agency Traffic Officers patrol roads to help drivers in trouble and reduce delays

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/3831968
• Authors:
  • STACE, S
• Publication Date: 2005-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 14-5
• Serial:
  • Highways
  • Publisher: Alad Limited
  • ISSN: 0142-6168
  • Serial URL: http://www.highways-mag.co.uk

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Deicing; Equipment; Ice; Organizations; Snow; Spreading; Weather; Winter maintenance
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 2598: Deicing; 3674: Equipment; 2578: Ice; 9057: Organization (association); 2552: Snow; 3602: Spreading; 8119: United Kingdom; 2545: Weather; 2593: Winter maintenance
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; I62: Winter Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01027088
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jul 5 2006 12:21PM