PennDOT: Where we’ve been, what we learned, what’s for tomorrow? Peer Exchange- Madison Wisconsin

1. PennDOT: Where we’ve been, what we learned, what’s for tomorrow?Peer Exchange- Madison Wisconsin By Alfred Uzokwe, P.E. New Technology Section, BOMO PennDOT

2. Background – Where we’ve been • In the past, winter maintenance was done without much scientific touch. • Weather forecasts were way off base in many instances. • If bad weather was predicted, maintenance stocked up and waited. • Many times operators were called out in vain because of inaccurate weather predictions. • There were no particular efforts to manage how much salt was used. Operators used what they felt that did the job. In most cases, it was too much. • At the end of storms, some of the roads were colored white from excess salt. Operators wanted to err on the side of caution.

3. Where we’ve been… • Today, things have changed. • Weather forecasts have become more accurate • New and more helpful technologies have become available - RWIS, GL 400s, Tylers, anti-icing, AVLs, more accurate weather forecasts, pavement weather predictions, bridge de-icing systems and more. • Knowing when the storm would hit and knowing the predicted pavement temp would help make better decisions on when to apply material and how much to apply. • With all the new technologies and better forecasts, it was expected that Maintenance would do more with less

4. Where we’ve been… • Unfortunately, the amount of salt used has continued to increase and cost of winter services has continued to increase. • For example, in 2001/2002, PennDOT used over $108 million to keep Pennsylvania’s highways free of snow and ice- a mild winter – 465,000 tons of salt • In 2002/2003, $160 million was budgeted for the same purpose

5. Current Efforts… • In 2003, winter materials conservation became the focus of the new admin. • This was not to jeopardize the level of service we provided. • As a first step, through a new initiative called MECE – Maintenance Efficiency and Cost Effectiveness, PennDOT developed salt application rates to be used by all

6. Current Efforts… • A methodology was developed to monitor adherence to the application rates. • Each county supplied the total amount of salt used and total lane miles spread for each season to the central office. • With this information, the average application rate for each county was developed – see chart • Each county that exceeded the recommended application rate was compelled to reduce it during subsequent season • Overleaf are charts showing average application rates for some counties.

7. District 6-0 – Salt Application Rate (pounds per spread snow lane mile) Acceptable application rate = 230 pounds per spread snow lane mile Pounds per Snow lane mile Counties

8. District 2-0 – Salt Application Rate (pounds per snow lane mile) Acceptable application rate = Less than 230 Pounds per spread snow lane mile Pounds per Snow lane mile Counties

9. What’s for tomorrow?... • The monitoring methodology overleaf while helpful, was not full proof. • This winter, PennDOT would use a different approach. • An Access-based database system has been developed for monitoring material usage. • Database was developed by our field personnel. • Overleaf is a screen capture of the database screen.

10. On the screen below,taper log information are entered for analysis

12. MECE How does the database work? For tracking Information: At the end of each shift, operator information is entered into the system: • Total amount of materials used • Snow lane miles • Pavement temperature • Other.

13. MECE Analysis and Feedback • Entered information is instantly analyzed • Feedback is promptly provided to operators on their application rates • Instant feedback allows operator to correct material over-application problems while event is still fresh mind

14. MECE Monitoring With the result of the analysis, the operator will know where corrective action is needed and do so before the next storm hits

15. MECE Benefit of database system • Instant analysis of information and feedback to operators • Necessary corrective action is taken before next storm. • Database system is versatile and any type of report could be produced • Will help in collecting info needed for winter material usage report requested by BOMO • Database incorporates the benefits of new technologies to produce materials savings – an overall goal of PennDOT.

16. MECE Conclusion • We have a wide range of stakeholder groups – Motorists, citizens, legislators, Police and more • PennDOT uses various methods to communicate to them – We have fliers that talk about our winter activities and what to expect, we have an 800-number hotline that details roads conditions, we use emails, memos and phone. • There will be a press release this season notifying stakeholders about our effort to conserve materials while still providing acceptable level of service. • The migration to the use of a database to track and meas

17. MECE Conclusion… • Obviously there are costs to setting up and maintaining our program. Intangible costs and tangible – to be explained • There will be refinements and upgrade of our system next season using lessons learned this season.