Evaluation of Winter Maintenance Material Metering and Placement Equipment

摘要

Beginning in January, 1997, an evaluation process was undertaken by the Maine211u001eDepartment of Transportation (MDOT) in an effort to determine if developing 211u001etechnologies in the winter maintenance field might be viable and cost effective 211u001eadditions to MDOT's current fleet of snow fighting equipment. This process 211u001eincluded the evaluation of: Case-Tyler Zero Velocity System, Swenson Precision 211u001ePlacement System, Compu-Spread Ground Speed Control System and the Dickey-John 211u001eGround Speed Control. Data collected in both field and controlled settings 211u001eindicate a savings in material is possible when utilizing some form of material 211u001emetering equipment. Testing performed for purposes of material placement using 211u001eZero Velocity and Precision Placement systems also shows promise in producing 211u001ematerial savings. Realization of these savings will require a singificant 211u001ecommittment to equipment calibration and maintenance. It will also require a high 211u001elevel of coordination and cooperation between all personnel involved. In addition 211u001eto the equipment evaluation, this report briefly discusses the Department's 211u001eexperience with salt as a primary material for treating highways in winter 211u001erelated conditions.