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Winter Operations Guidelines Michigan Department of Transportation

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

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Winter Operations Guidelines Michigan Department of Transportation

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  1. Winter Operations GuidelinesMichigan Department of Transportation

  2. Overview • The Case for Adjusting MDOT’s Winter Maintenance Strategy • Lessons learned from 2007-2008 • Increased costs • Budget concerns • Statewide consistency • Sensible approach

  3. Introduction • Assigning Winter Level of Service • Service Level Definitions • Priority 1-Orange Routes • Priority 2-Blue Routes • Winter Operations Guidelines • Frequently Asked Questions

  4. 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

  5. SLRP Designation Factors • ADT • Commercial ADT • Total Population • Total Employment • Tourism • Airports • Carpool Lots • Intermodal Freight

  6. Priority 1-OrangeRoute • 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. Winter LOS Map for Metro Region

  10. 2008-2009 Winter Operations Guidelines • Generally Bare of Ice and Snow definition • Communication and Coordination • Effort During Storm • Exceptions • Service Uniformity

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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)

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. FAQ’s-Will MDOT management stand behind this plan? YES

  20. 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

  21. 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

  22. Questions?

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