New Ways to Improve Highway Safety
TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--New Ways to Improve Highway Safety in Winter
The following feature is one of an ongoing series of stories from the Department of Transportation and Public Works.
Nova Scotia is leading the way in snow and ice removal with high- tech computers and innovative salt brews.
Computerized salt trucks, plows equipped with a solution that makes salt more effective, and high-tech sensors in the roadway are some of the ways the provincial Department of Transportation and Public Works is tackling winter weather.
"Staff are always looking for ways to do a better job and that means keeping up with the latest technology and being innovative with our resources," said Michael Baker, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "You can't stand still in this field."
On-board computers have been installed in all of the department's 244 salt trucks. Called "Compuspreads," the computers control the amount of salt dispersed based on the vehicle's speed. That's an important tool, especially when one considers that the department uses about 260,000 tonnes of salt each year.
A salt-brine solution also helps control and reduce salt use. The solution is brewed in department bases and then loaded into tanks attached to plows. Operators use the brine to pre-wet salt in their trucks, so that it sticks better to road surfaces. It also speeds up the chemical reaction that is needed to melt ice. The department is moving towards using salt brine on all 100-series highways in the province.
"Nova Scotia is a leader in finding new ways to keep our highways safe," said Mr. Baker. "These most recent innovations improve safety on our roads and provide maximum value for the taxpayers of Nova Scotia."
Roadside towers are also helping in snow and ice control. These towers, called Road Weather Information System (RWIS) stations, have been installed in 18 areas of the province. Computers on the towers gather information from sensors that are embedded in the pavement on the road. Sensors on the towers provide up-to-the- minute weather information including air temperature, humidity, and wind speed and direction. This information is transmitted to the department's computer network and helps staff prepare for storms and determine when to salt and plow.
Highway cameras attached to the RWIS towers allow highway staff and motorists to see road and weather conditions during daylight hours. The cameras provide updated images of road conditions and are available on-line at www.gov.ns.ca/tran .
Staff use the information from RWIS stations to prepare for storms. The data allows supervisors to time the deployment of salt trucks and determine the best action depending on current weather conditions.
"The road weather information system is leading-edge technology that allows us to get a picture of what's happening out there now," said Mr. Baker. "Using these tools helps us decide when to take action and what action to take."
The department also uses low-tech means to help motorists. It operates a winter road report telephone line. Three times a day, seven days a week in winter, road reports are available by calling toll free 1-800-307-SNOW (7669), 902-424-3933 in Halifax. The service is also available on-line at www.gov.ns.ca/tran .