Better Roads Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/85919
for the exchange of views, knowledge and experience, all with the intent of creating a sustainable road infra- structure while meeting the future needs of the motor- ing public." It's important to make decisions early be- cause it will have implications on how our services are delivered," Nicholishen says. "It affects staffi ng, fl eet, budgets, level of service, facilities, and so on." But what look like good practices for sustainable winter maintenance pro- grams have to be looked at from all sides. Apparent long-term advantages can have signifi cant drawbacks. And their sustainability cred can evaporate. For example, drainage is a huge issue when it comes to winter maintenance. "There seems to be an environmental design move- ment to put less infrastructure in the ground. Above ground drainage is being encouraged over a closed drainage system," Nicholishen asserts. "They [the drainage system designers] say it's not good for the environment. The structure design partners are suggest- ing we have 3 to 1 (slopes) grades and construct natu- ral ditches. It sounds perfect, but there are challenges with this. They want to 'naturalize and plant native spe- cies' within ditches with natural grasses, but weeds and debris ultimately come with this." The ditches then eventually need to be cleaned out from the collection of silt, and within three to fi ve years, equipment may be required to be sent back in to clean out and re-grade the ditch or else fl ooding could occur, he says. Another problem is that chlorides "never really disappear," he says. "If there is too much it will go through the system or it will settle into the water table. If it's going through catch basins, there is at least the power to control where the runoff is going." Another example comes with the use of channeliza- tion devices such as roundabouts and islands when developing a sustainable winter maintenance pro- gram. "Raised medians and islands are good for traffi c management but not for snow removal operations," Nicholishen says. "What looks nice versus what is practical must be considered." They are great for traffi c calming and traffi c control, but they make it diffi cult for plow trucks to clear the roads." THE AUTHORITY FOR WINTER WEAR PARTS Cutting Edges High Carbon Heat Treated Carbide Tip Carbide Hardfacing Sander Chain & Tire Chain High Carbon Steel Double Welded – Top & Bottom pewag... Plow Shoes & Curb Guards High Carbon Cast Carbide Carbide Hardfacing Please contact us today to discuss how our value added product can meet your needs. 98 Philo Rd West, Elmira, NY 14803 P: 800.733.5508 F: 607.732.5379 Write 166 on Reader Service Card SNOW TECHNOLOGIES, LLC B.A.T.TM "WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD" PUSHES 5X MORE SNOW THAN PLOWS AND BUCKETS AND 3X MORE THAN A BOXSCRAPER UNIQUE BACK DRAG SYSTEM NEVER WEARS OUT NO CUTTING EDGES TO BUY NO FEET TO REPLACE 855.SNOWTEC (605)990.2221 www.snowtechusa.com sales@snowtechusa.com GO GREEN! RECYCLE! Write 167 on Reader Service Card Better Roads June 2012 17