Better Roads

April 2014

Better Roads Digital Magazine

Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/291564

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 16 of 31

Better Roads April 2014 15 Applications & Innovations Still Using Paper Time Cards in 2014? Cut foremen entry time in half with HeavyJob Mobile Apps and... Reduce payroll processing by as much as 90% <ŶŽǁŝĨũŽďƐĂƌĞƉƌŽĮƚĂďůĞǁŝƚŚƐĂŵĞͲĚĂLJ ĨĞĞĚďĂĐŬĂŐĂŝŶƐƚďƵĚŐĞƚ tŽƌŬŽŋŝŶĞĨŽƌƌĞŵŽƚĞũŽďƐǁŝƚŚŶŽŝŶƚĞƌŶĞƚ dƌĂŝŶĨŽƌĞŵĞŶƋƵŝĐŬůLJǁŝƚŚĞĂƐLJͲƚŽͲƵƐĞƟŵĞĐĂƌĚ /ŶƚĞŐƌĂƚĞǁŝƚŚŽǀĞƌϯϱĂĐĐŽƵŶƟŶŐƐLJƐƚĞŵƐ >ŽǁƌŝƐŬͶ^ŽŌǁĂƌĞĐŽŵĞƐǁŝƚŚĂϭϮͲŵŽŶƚŚ ŵŽŶĞLJďĂĐŬŐƵĂƌĂŶƚĞĞ͊ 800-683-3196 for the Construction Industry Innovative Software at www.HCSS.com/Better-Roads SIGN UP FOR DAILY WEBINARS 7H[W,1)2WRRUYLVLWZZZEHWWHUURDGVFRPLQIR streets, alleys and limited service roads (such as in parks) may not be plowed at all unless the snow exceeds a certain thresh- old. Plowing may be minimal or just a track in the center. All jurisdictions – towns, cities, counties, special road districts and tollway authorities, tribal, states, provinces, at risk of snow and ice should have a Winter Maintenance Policy or Opera- tions Plan. This will address priorities, Levels of Service, tiered response strategies depending on type and intensity of storms, handling special emergency situations selection and use of materials, composition (type and number) of equipment fleet organizational structure and roles, staffing, training, commu- nications and tracking, weather forecasts and current condi- tions reports, as well as documentation, risk management and public information. This includes declaring a snow emergency and enacting parking restrictions and vehicle requirements. It should also clearly state what it is not responsible for (side- walks and private streets for example, and roads maintained by others). A sound Winter Operations Policy and Plan is the blueprint for providing this vital service in the most efficient, effective and equitable manner. How do public works agencies prepare winter storm strategies and tactics? The preparation for and commencement of snow and ice control operations, as well as overall practices and methods, is contingent upon varying conditions. For instance, the Snow Operations Manager will determine when to begin preparation for an anticipated storm based on con- tracted weather service reports. Weather is quite changeable as storms approach and Snow Managers often adjust their tentative plans. Still, most tend to take a proactive approach as considerable time is needed to have crews ready. Public Works personnel are notified when to report for duty, and the public is typi- cally informed of issues such as parking bans, road conditions, and cancellations through a variety of sources. When feasible, the public works crews will pre-treat bridges, overpasses and hills with salt brine or other materials prior to when the snowfall is expected. The types and application rates of the materials selected depends on several factors: present and forecasted pavement temperatures, wind direction and speed, type and amount of precipitation, current pavement conditions, prior- ity classification, availability of materials and equipment and environmental considerations. Advances in material science and application technology have provided snow fighters with a more current and versatile "toolbox." Public Works snow fighters – including operators, dispatch- ers, mechanics, clerks and supervisors and auxiliary person- nel from other divisions and departments – work long hours in often hazardous conditions and severe weather to keep roads safe and streets safely passable for the public. No matter the duration of winter storms, whether shorter or longer, public works agencies are in essence partners with the public. Area citizens can work during the winter storms to help the public works crews by restricting trips to those that are truly neces- sary and allowing more time. Also, drivers can aid Public Works storm fighters by going slowly, and creating greater gaps between cars on snow and ice-covered roads. Source: Contributed by American Public Works Association (APWA)

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Better Roads - April 2014