MDOT

							Winter Operations Guidelines
 Michigan Department of Transportation
Overview

   The Case for Adjusting MDOT’s Winter
    Maintenance Strategy
       Lessons learned from 2007-2008
       Increased costs
       Budget concerns
       Statewide consistency
       Sensible approach
Introduction

   Assigning Winter Level of Service
   Service Level Definitions
       Priority 1-Orange Routes
       Priority 2-Blue Routes
   Winter Operations Guidelines
   Frequently Asked Questions
Assigning Winter Level of Service
   State Long Range
    Transportation Plan (SLRP)
    2005-2030 is the basis for
    assigning LOS
   Designates routes into
    International, national,
    statewide, regional, and
    local significance
   MDOT used these
    designations for assigning
    winter LOS
                                 The SLRP 2005-2030 is available at michigan.gov/mdot
SLRP Designation Factors

   ADT
   Commercial ADT
   Total Population
   Total Employment
   Tourism
   Airports
   Carpool Lots
   Intermodal Freight
    Priority 1-Orange Route

   Goal is to achieve full
    width pavement “generally
    bare of ice and snow”
       Operations should be
        continuous during and after
        the storm until goal is met
       Use OT during and after storm
        event until goal is met
Orange Route Statistics

   34% of state highway miles
   81% of commercial vehicle miles
   70% of passenger vehicle miles
   93% of state’s population live within 10 miles
   95% of state’s employment base is within 10
    miles
    Priority 2-Blue Route
   Goal is to provide
    pavement “generally bare
    of ice and snow” for one
    wheel track in each
    direction
       Operations should be
        continuous during and after the
        storm until goal is met
       Use OT during and after storm
        event until goal is met
       Clearing the full width should
        be done after the storm event
        without using OT
Winter LOS Map for Metro Region
2008-2009 Winter Operations Guidelines

   Generally Bare of Ice
    and Snow definition
   Communication and
    Coordination
   Effort During Storm
   Exceptions
   Service Uniformity
Generally Bare of Ice and Snow

   The travel lane surface is free from drifts,
    snow ridges, and as much ice and snow pack
    as practical
   This does not mean bare pavement or dry
    pavement
   Motorists should expect some inconvenience
    and must drive responsibly
Communication and Coordination
   Communicate early (preseason) with
    neighboring agencies
       Discuss winter operations practices
       Coordinate shift times if feasible
       Exchange contact information
   Communication during storm
       Coordinate winter operations along a corridor
       Minimize LOS inconsistencies at jurisdictional
        boundaries
Effort During Storm

   Plow and provide surface treatments as
    required during storm events
   Remove as much snow mechanically as
    possible
   Use only enough deicing agents as
    necessary
   Refer to the Salt Application Charts
Exceptions to Guidelines

   Some exceptions may be appropriate
    including:
       Adjusting service levels due to storm severity and
        duration
       Adjusting maintenance activities due to an
        abnormal influx of traffic (sporting event or
        festival)
Service Uniformity

   The goal is to minimize unexpected changes
    in pavement surface condition
   Routes should end at logical locations where
    one would anticipate a change
FAQ’s-What happens when we achieve
the LOS and its still snowing?


   Operations should be continuous during the
    storm
   If it is still snowing more than likely you will not
    have met the goal on the entire route
FAQ’s-What happens when we achieve
the LOS and it stopped snowing?

   Operations should be continuous after the
    storm until goal is met for both priority levels*
   During regular work hours continue with
    cleanup operation until completed or shift ends
   If on overtime, operations should stop

    *Achieving LOS during extended periods of cold temperatures may not be possible
       even with continuous effort
FAQ-How do you treat shoulders after the
LOS has been met

   Orange Route -Clearing the shoulders (with 2”
    of snow or more) should be done after the
    storm event using OT
   Blue Route -Clearing the shoulders (with 2” of
    snow or less) should be done after the storm
    event without using OT
FAQ’s-Will MDOT management stand
behind this plan?



           YES
FAQ’s-Why Were The LOS Maps
Adjusted?
   To further enhance statewide consistency
   Address rising costs and stagnant budgets
   To be consistent with the goals of the State
    Long Range Transportation Plan
   Lessons learned from 2007-2008 season
FAQ’s-Does a Blue Route Mean The
Route Will Be Impassible?
   No, a blue route and orange route will be
    treated with the same effort during a storm
    event
   After the storm one wheel track in each
    direction will be maintained at a minimum and
    will always be passable
   The motorist is responsible for driving
    according to conditions per the Michigan
    Vehicle Code
Questions?