By Matt Duran and Steve Bytnar
When you think of industries that have been greatly influenced by technology, ice management is probably not one that tops the list. On a basic level, it’s a business that is based on using the right resources (materials, equipment and manpower) in the most cost-effective manner to create safe winter driving conditions. But as you take a closer look at how the industry is changing, technology is playing a greater role in developing new
opportunities and tools that streamline operations and increase efficiency.
From advanced road sensors that collect weather data to automated spray systems, there are innovative examples of new technology being used in both the private and government markets. In addition, portable computer systems that have been tested over the years are becoming more of a reality as manufacturers move forward to release this type of technology into the market. Couple this with the role of technology in the research and development of new, in-depth performance measurements of deicing/anti-icing products, and you have an advanced formula for helping professionals select what will work best for their business.
Road sensors
Road sensors are evolving and redefining how road condition information is collected, evaluated and acted upon. Noncontact/noninvasive pavement sensors represent state-of-the-art technology that no longer relies on worst-case predictions. The accuracy and level of data collected by these sensors have reached the point where they can provide early detection of icing conditions well before loss of grip or loss of control by a motorist occurs.
Traditionally, contractors had to rely on sensor technology that was not only inaccurate, but also improperly placed. Noncon-tact/noninvasive pavement sensors are mounted on a light pole or a fixed structure away from the roadway and use eye-safe lasers pointed at the wheel tracks in the roadway. In the past, pavement sensors were located in the shoulders of roads to protect them from damage, and this affected their ability to collect accurate data. Previous sensors also relied on algorithms and set points that tried to measure deicing chemical concentrations (an early attempt to solve the grip problem).
The lasers used now detect real-time road conditions, and the best of these sensors provide measurements so precise that ice levels as low as 0.0004 of an inch can be detected. Other measurements gathered include the depth and type of moisture, as well as pavement and air temperature with accuracies of +/- 0.2° F. Using this information, snow and ice professionals can now push the envelope of efficiencies and environmental protection to the levels demanded by the industry. With this knowledge, they know exactly how much material to use, and this leads to safer roads and better efficiencies of crews and materials.
Spray systems
Another area in which advanced road sensors are being used is with automated spray systems installed along roadways that are prone to icy, dangerous driving conditions. These systems use real-time data from road sensors to detect when roads are becoming unsafe, and then release liquid deicer onto the roadway with controlled sprayers. Earlier spray systems used passive and active sensors, but were often plagued by inaccurate triggering. This led to spraying dry roads instead of icy ones.
Today’s generation of spray system technology enables a person to control and monitor the application through remote access via the Internet, over a
secure connection. Fully automated systems are designed with controls that even reduce the manual labor needed to monitor the applica-tion, providing additional cost savings. There are also recent advancements with mini-spray systems that are smaller, self-contained units designed as solutions for parking garages and smaller bridges.
Onboard intelligence
Another key technology that ice management professionals are eager to test is advanced computer systems installed in vehicles. In the near future, the
industry should see plow and spreader trucks with computer systems that know pavement grip and temperature, air temperature and melting capacities of the materials on the truck. Drivers will be able to use this information in real-time to accurately regulate the amount of the material needed for treatment. It will also provide electronic records of material usage that can be analyzed to determine where further efficiencies can be realized and performance can be improved. Currently, GPS tracking and reporting with Maintenance Decision Support Systems (MDSS) are driving the development of these in-vehicle systems, and they represent the next logical step in ice management technology.
Other notable in-vehicle technology includes tracking systems that allow drivers to simply push buttons at the beginning and end of every job to create an electronic record of the amount of time it takes (Related story, page 44).
And just as consumer video cameras have become smaller and more advanced, this same technology offers benefits in ice management because mounted camera systems can help monitor product application and provide video that can be reviewed or used to show real-time job completion.
Research technology trends
Ice management professionals have a variety of deicing/anti-icing products to choose from, and many still struggle with determining which product is best for them. Purchase decisions are based on a variety of factors: cost, personal experience and influence from marketing efforts that promote a product as being superior. How do you truly evaluate a product’s performance and determine your best option for a specific situation? This is a question that investment in research technology can help answer because it seeks to identify and measure key data to provide a comprehensive analysis of product performance.
Research technology being done now is looking at several data elements beyond melting points to focus on other factors, such as en-ergy shifts that occur during phase changes and how this applies to local weather conditions. In the past, some industry professionals held the idea that snow and ice are the same, whether they were located in the Rocky Mountains or on the East Coast. However, research has shown that ice and snow
differ depending on location. And there are multiple types of ice that can have varying impacts on deicer performance.
As research technology continues to advance and provide objective performance data, new products will be developed, and ice management professionals will have access to this detailed data to evaluate products from a new perspective. This will enable professionals to make more informed decisions about which products work most effectively in their environments, how long the treatment will take to melt the ice, and the exact amount of product that is needed to successfully complete a job. These emerging performance measurements hold great promise in reducing the amount of product applied to roadways, which improves the conditions of our environment and helps manage the bottom line.
With new technology comes new challenges
The greatest barrier is, and will always be, lack of training funds to educate people on the new technology available in materials, sensors and other equipment. Change is difficult, and new technology forces people to look at how they might approach things differently. But a commitment to understand technology and how it can make ice management more efficient is essential for future success. The resources available for proper training are available from reputable suppliers and manufacturers that understand the importance of investing time in working with their customers to ensure the proper usage of their products to maximize results. However, before investing in training, it helps to get as much background information as possible on the company and trainer so that the training session doesn’t end up being a glorified infomercial.
The second barrier is to have the commitment to budget and sustain budgets to acquire the best technologies, software and materials on the market to realize the cost savings of becoming more efficient and environmentally friendly. It takes time to find the program and materials best suited to your
operation and service levels. Many times this requires educating property owners as to why training and advanced equipment is needed to become more efficient. This education must show the efficiencies and service level increases that are attainable (and sustainable) at lower costs. Small studies and a review of current practices and materials are great starting points to show where you are and where you need to be to implement change.
We are at a time when snow and ice management professionals have some of the best tools available to do their jobs, but the key to success lies in using this advanced technology to collect accurate data for informed, smarter decision-making. By taking action now to understand the role of technology and where it is headed, professionals will be prepared to become leaders and experts who drive their industry forward as well.
Matt Duran is the vice president of sales and marketing for EnviroTech Services Inc., and Steve Bytnar is the director of research and quality for the company. Comments are welcome at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
