Optimization of Salt Storage for County Garage Facilities

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has identified two issues with salt storage at county garage facilities within Ohio: 1) an inability to maximize salt storage in dome structures and 2) an inability to maintain accurate salt inventory using visual estimates. To realize greater efficiency at salt dome facilities, research was performed to identify the state of the practice in salt storage, and evaluate modifications to ODOTs existing salt storage practices. At the conclusion of the first phase of the research, a diesel conveyor with 6-ton hopper was selected as the best option for maximizing salt storage in dome structures, while an acoustic scanning system was selected as the best option for improving salt inventory. During the second phase of the research, the diesel conveyor with 6-ton hopper and acoustic scanner system were evaluated through field trials over a four month period. The diesel conveyor was evaluated through comparison with a PTO conveyor configured in four different loading setups. The results indicate that the diesel conveyor outperformed the PTO conveyor setups when loading rate, cost, and the availability of garage resources are considered. In order to evaluate the acoustic scanner system, groundbased laser scanning was performed and the resulting volumes were compared. In addition, the daily volume of salt in the dome based on ODOT records was compared with the scanner volumes over the duration of the data collection period. It was concluded that the acoustic scanner system should be used in combination with another inventory method, such as visual estimates, for daily salt inventory. Based on the results of the research, ODOT will benefit by having tangible solutions that once implemented, can increase efficiency and safety at salt dome facilities, ultimately saving ODOT time and money.

• Record URL:
  http://cdm16007.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p267401ccp2/id/12503
• Corporate Authors:

  Ohio University, Athens

  Ohio Research Institute for Transportation and the Environment
  141 Stocker Engineering and Technology Center
  Athens, OH  United States  45701-2979

  Western Transportation Institute

  Montana State University, Bozeman
  P.O. Box 174250
  Bozeman, MT  United States  59717-4250

  Ohio Department of Transportation

  Office of Statewide Planning and Research
  1980 West Broad Street
  Columbus, OH  United States  43223

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Walsh, Ken
  • Mitchell, Gayle
  • Richardson, Wallace
• Publication Date: 2015-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 112p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Conveyors; Deicing chemicals; Field tests; Handling and storage; Inventory control; Optimization; Salts; State of the practice; Storage facilities
• Identifier Terms: Ohio Department of Transportation
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Terminals and Facilities; I62: Winter Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01567270
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/OH-2015/10
• Contract Numbers: State Job Number 134824
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 26 2015 1:41PM