ICY ROAD MANAGEMENT WITH CALCIUM MAGNESIUM ACETATE TO MEET ENVIRONMENTAL AND CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS IN NEW ZEALAND

Because of public concerns, the use of salt as a deicer for roads in New Zealand was discontinued more than 20 years ago, and icy roads have been managed since without the use of chemical deicers. In more recent years however, increasing customer expectations have demanded improvements to icy road management beyond the application of just grit or sand. A proposal to reintroduce salt as a deicing chemical was rejected by road users and environmental groups. Following investigations of alternatives, calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) was chosen as a suitable deicer and anti-icer that could meet the environmental concerns and be accepted by the road user. CMA has been introduced gradually in various parts of the country and has been closely monitored for any effects on the environment. In particular, monitoring has taken place over the past 5 years in the central North Island, where operations are within a national park and world heritage area. During that time extensive testing of streams, soil, and vegetation has been carried out, and no significant effect has been observed. CMA is a high-cost product, and so ice prediction technology is now being introduced to assist with managing its use on a just-in-time and in-the-right-place philosophy to ensure it is cost-effective, improves safety and efficiency for the road user, and minimizes any environmental concerns. This paper summarizes the environmental monitoring of CMA in the central North Island, the results obtained, the benefits and costs involved, and management practices.

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  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/circulars/ec063.pdf
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• Authors:
  • Burkett, A
  • Gurr, N
• Conference:
  • Sixth International Symposium on Snow Removal and Ice Control Technology
  • Location: Spokane, Washington
  • Date: 2004-6-7 to 2004-6-9
• Publication Date: 2004-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 267-277
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Circular
  • Issue Number: E-C063
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0097-8515

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefits; Calcium magnesium acetate; Cost effectiveness; Costs; Environmental impacts; Maintenance management; Maintenance practices; Monitoring; Snow and ice control; Weather forecasting; Winter maintenance
• Geographic Terms: New Zealand
• Subject Areas: Environment; Finance; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I62: Winter Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00974849
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: E-C063,, SNOW04-005, SNOW04-039
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Jun 9 2004 12:00AM