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Title:

Fixed Automated Spray Technology for Winter Maintenance: The State of the Practice in North America

Accession Number:

01046380

Language:

English

Source Data:

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2007 Paper #07-1161

Abstract:

The Fixed Automated Spray Technology (FAST) is an important tool for anti-icing at key locations. In addition to anti-icing operations through motor vehicles, FAST enables winter maintenance personnel to treat potential conditions before snow and ice problems arise. Such tools, coupled with road weather information systems (RWIS) and reliable weather forecasts, promote the paradigm shift from being reactive to proactive in fighting winter storms. Conducted through the NCHRP Project 20-7/Task 200, this paper synthesizes information obtained from a comprehensive literature review and agency surveys on the state of the practice of FAST systems. Experience with FAST systems in North America and Europe has revealed a mixed picture. On the one hand, several studies have indicated reductions in mobile operations costs and significant reductions in crash frequency, resulting in favorable benefit-cost ratios. On the other hand, there have been a variety of problems related to activation frequency, system maintenance and training. On balance, North American transportation agencies consider FAST to be an evolving technology, and are not planning significant new installations of FAST in the near future. Installing a FAST system is complex and the challenges are often site-specific, and difficulties seem to be expected during the operations, particularly in areas related to software, system activation, and the pumping system. However, the evaluations cited show that FAST systems can be cost-beneficial if their locations are carefully chosen and if the system is supported with reliable environmental sensors.

TRIS Files:

HRIS

Report Numbers:

07-1161

Media Type:

CD-ROM

Pagination:

17p

Authors:

Shi, Xianming

Phone: 406-994-6486
Fax: 406-994-1697
xianming_s@coe.montana.edu
Montana State University, Bozeman

El Ferradi, Nabil

Phone: 406-994-6114
Fax: 406-994-1697
nabile@coe.montana.edu
Montana State University, Bozeman

Strong, Christopher K

Phone: 406-994-7351
Fax: 406-994-1697
chriss@coe.montana.edu
Montana State University, Bozeman

Monograph Accession #:

01042056

Publication Date:

2007

Conference:

Transportation Research Board 86th Annual Meeting

Location: Washington DC, United States
Date: 2007/1/21 to 2007/1/25
Sponsors: Transportation Research Board

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 USA

Availability:

Transportation Research Board Business Office

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 USA
Order URL: http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7286

Features:

Photos; References (21)

Index Terms:

Fixed automated spray technology; Highway maintenance; Maintenance; Maintenance practices; Road weather information systems; Snow and ice control; Snowstorms; Sprayers; Traffic safety; Weather conditions; Weather forecasting; Winter maintenance

Subject Areas:

Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Safety and Human Factors; I62: Winter Maintenance; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure

Last Modified:

Apr 25 2007 8:09AM