PennDOT:PennDOT: Where we’ve been, Where we’ve been, what we learned, what’s for what we learned, what’s for

tomorrow?tomorrow?Peer Exchange- Madison WisconsinPeer Exchange- Madison Wisconsin

ByByAlfred Uzokwe, P.E.Alfred Uzokwe, P.E.

New Technology Section, BOMONew Technology Section, BOMOPennDOTPennDOT

Background – Where we’ve Background – Where we’ve beenbeen

In the past, winter maintenance was done without In the past, winter maintenance was done without much scientific touch.much scientific touch.

Weather forecasts were way off base in many Weather forecasts were way off base in many instances.instances.

If bad weather was predicted, maintenance stocked If bad weather was predicted, maintenance stocked up and waited.up and waited.

Many times operators were called out in vain Many times operators were called out in vain because of inaccurate weather predictions.because of inaccurate weather predictions.

There were no particular efforts to manage how There were no particular efforts to manage how much salt was used. Operators used what they felt much salt was used. Operators used what they felt that did the job. In most cases, it was too much.that did the job. In most cases, it was too much.

At the end of storms, some of the roads were At the end of storms, some of the roads were colored white from excess salt. Operators wanted colored white from excess salt. Operators wanted to err on the side of caution.to err on the side of caution.

Today, things have changed.Today, things have changed. Weather forecasts have become more accurateWeather forecasts have become more accurate New and more helpful technologies have become New and more helpful technologies have become

available - RWIS, GL 400s, Tylers, anti-icing, AVLs, available - RWIS, GL 400s, Tylers, anti-icing, AVLs, more accurate weather forecasts, pavement more accurate weather forecasts, pavement weather predictions, bridge de-icing systems and weather predictions, bridge de-icing systems and more.more.

Knowing when the storm would hit and knowing Knowing when the storm would hit and knowing the predicted pavement temp would help make the predicted pavement temp would help make better decisions on when to apply material and better decisions on when to apply material and how much to apply.how much to apply.

With all the new technologies and better forecasts, With all the new technologies and better forecasts, it was expected that Maintenance would do more it was expected that Maintenance would do more with lesswith less

Where we’ve been…

Unfortunately, the amount of salt used Unfortunately, the amount of salt used has continued to increase and cost of has continued to increase and cost of winter services has continued to increase.winter services has continued to increase.

For example, in 2001/2002, PennDOT For example, in 2001/2002, PennDOT used over $108 million to keep used over $108 million to keep Pennsylvania’s highways free of snow Pennsylvania’s highways free of snow and ice- a mild winter – 465,000 tons of and ice- a mild winter – 465,000 tons of saltsalt

In 2002/2003, $160 million was budgeted In 2002/2003, $160 million was budgeted for the same purposefor the same purpose

Where we’ve been…

Current Efforts…Current Efforts… In 2003, winter materials conservation In 2003, winter materials conservation

became the focus of the new admin.became the focus of the new admin.This was not to jeopardize the level of This was not to jeopardize the level of

service we provided.service we provided.As a first step, through a new initiative As a first step, through a new initiative

called MECE – called MECE – Maintenance Efficiency Maintenance Efficiency and Cost Effectivenessand Cost Effectiveness, PennDOT , PennDOT developed salt application rates to be developed salt application rates to be used by allused by all

A methodology was developed to monitor A methodology was developed to monitor adherence to the application rates.adherence to the application rates.

Each county supplied the total amount of salt Each county supplied the total amount of salt used and total lane miles spread for each used and total lane miles spread for each season to the central office.season to the central office.

With this information, the average application With this information, the average application rate for each county was developed – rate for each county was developed – see chartsee chart

Each county that exceeded the recommended Each county that exceeded the recommended application rate was compelled to reduce it application rate was compelled to reduce it during subsequent seasonduring subsequent season

Overleaf are charts showing average application rates for some Overleaf are charts showing average application rates for some counties.counties.

Current Efforts…Current Efforts…

District 6-0 – Salt Application Rate (District 6-0 – Salt Application Rate (pounds per spread snow lane pounds per spread snow lane milemile))

190 166

349303

406

050100150200250300350400450

Pounds per S

now lane m

ile

Counties

Acceptable application rate = 230 pounds per spread snow lane mile

District 2-0 – Salt Application Rate (District 2-0 – Salt Application Rate (pounds per snow lane milepounds per snow lane mile))

195

282303

81

214194 195

248

136

050

100150

200250

300350

Pounds per S

now lane m

ile

Counties

Acceptable application rate = Less than 230 Pounds per spread snow lane mile

What’s for tomorrow?...What’s for tomorrow?... The monitoring methodology overleaf while The monitoring methodology overleaf while

helpful, was not full proof.helpful, was not full proof. This winter, PennDOT would use a different This winter, PennDOT would use a different

approach.approach. An An Access-based database system has has

been developed for monitoring material usage.been developed for monitoring material usage. Database was developed by our field Database was developed by our field

personnel.personnel. Overleaf is a screen capture of the database Overleaf is a screen capture of the database

screen.screen.

On the screen below,On the screen below, taper log information are entered for taper log information are entered for analysisanalysis

How does the database work?How does the database work?

For tracking InformationFor tracking Information::At the end of each shift, operator At the end of each shift, operator

information is entered into the system:information is entered into the system: Total amount of materials usedTotal amount of materials used Snow lane miles Snow lane miles Pavement temperaturePavement temperature Other.Other.

MECE

Analysis and FeedbackAnalysis and Feedback Entered information is instantly analyzed Entered information is instantly analyzed Feedback is promptly provided to operators Feedback is promptly provided to operators

on their application rateson their application rates Instant feedback allows operator to correct Instant feedback allows operator to correct

material over-application problems while material over-application problems while event is still fresh mind event is still fresh mind

MECE

MonitoringMonitoring With the result of the analysis, the With the result of the analysis, the

operator will know where operator will know where corrective action is needed and do corrective action is needed and do so before the next storm hitsso before the next storm hits

MECE

Benefit of database systemBenefit of database system Instant analysis of information and feedback to Instant analysis of information and feedback to

operatorsoperators Necessary corrective action is taken before next Necessary corrective action is taken before next

storm.storm. Database system is versatile and any type of Database system is versatile and any type of

report could be producedreport could be produced Will help in collecting info needed for winter Will help in collecting info needed for winter

material usage report requested by BOMOmaterial usage report requested by BOMO Database incorporates the benefits of new Database incorporates the benefits of new

technologies to produce materials savings – an technologies to produce materials savings – an overall goal of PennDOT.overall goal of PennDOT.

MECE

ConclusionConclusion We have a wide range of stakeholder groups – We have a wide range of stakeholder groups –

Motorists, citizens, legislators, Police and moreMotorists, citizens, legislators, Police and more PennDOT uses various methods to communicate PennDOT uses various methods to communicate

to them – We have fliers that talk about our to them – We have fliers that talk about our winter activities and what to expect, we have an winter activities and what to expect, we have an 800-number hotline that details roads conditions, 800-number hotline that details roads conditions, we use emails, memos and phone.we use emails, memos and phone.

There will be a press release this season notifying There will be a press release this season notifying stakeholders about our effort to conserve stakeholders about our effort to conserve materials while still providing acceptable level of materials while still providing acceptable level of service.service.

The migration to the use of a database to track The migration to the use of a database to track and measand meas

MECE

Conclusion…Conclusion…

Obviously there are costs to setting Obviously there are costs to setting up and maintaining our program. up and maintaining our program. Intangible costs and tangible – Intangible costs and tangible – to be to be explainedexplained

There will be refinements and There will be refinements and upgrade of our system next season upgrade of our system next season using lessons learned this season.using lessons learned this season.

MECE