THE DEVELOPMENT OF SANDING MATERIALS TO REDUCE STREET DUST

This paper describes how street dust is a significant air quality problem in Finland's larger cities. Gritting sand used for streets' anti-skid protection is largely responsible for producing total suspended particulate (TSP) concentrations that exceed design guidelines. The objective of this paper was to formulate quality classifications for sanding materials that would provide guidance in material selections, and thereby reduce dust quantities and hazards. As a result of laboratory testing, cinder asphalt was selected because the particles loosened by stud tires would be differentiated from dust when analyzing sanding material particles. Testing began with the clarification of the cirumferential speed employed on the track, suitable quantities of sanding aggregate suiting the air temperature, the test's duration, as well as indoor air filtration and ventilation procedures. Dust measurements quantified the air's TSP concentrations, particle size distribution and silica miner fiber and fine-grained quartz dust concentrations. Research demonstrated that the wet-sieving of sanding materials reduced the total suspended particulate quantity by approximately 20% and the process also improves rock materials' manageability in sanding and street cleaning; wet-sieving gritting sand does not cake when it freezes, nor is it susceptible to arching at street curbs. Total dust quantities created by sanding materials are not significantly affected by the choice of raw materials. On the other hand, it is possible to reduce the harmfulness of dust by selecting dark rock materials low in quartz.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Conference Proceedings available on CD-ROM.
• Corporate Authors:

  World Road Association (PIARC)

  La Grande Arche, Paroi Nord, Niveau 5
  F-92055 La Defense Cedex,   France 
• Authors:
  • VALTONEN, J
  • Mustonen, J
  • Paavilainen, T
• Conference:
  • New Challenges for Winter Road Service. XIth International Winter Road Congress
  • Location: Sapporo, Japan
  • Date: 2002-1-28 to 2002-1-31
• Publication Date: 2002

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 4p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air quality; Dust control; Environmental impacts; Environmental protection; Icy roads; Particulates; Sanding; Snow and ice control; Studded tires; Winter maintenance
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I62: Winter Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00921247
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 21 2002 12:00AM