Example of Plow Route Map Plan

Before the winter season arrives, it is a good practice to discuss how the maintenance station plans to plow the routes within their area.  Policy 06A-42 Snow Removal provides direction on how routes are to be prioritized and maintained during winter events. If multiple lane highways and interstates are present in the maintenance station’s area, address how these routes will be plowed and determine if there are locations where snow can be stored. 

Each maintenance station is to have a plow route map indicating route priority, turnaround times, the number of snow plows needed, and how each route will be plowed. These maps are helpful in communicating the most efficient means of plowing and materials usage. The plan considers equipment, capacity, local traffic, storm intensity and roadway features. The plow’s, sander material capacity determines the extent of their intended route before reloading. Traffic scenarios impact the time required for that plow to make a complete pass of their route. While severe winter storms may trigger a change to the plan to meet other demands. Identifying the trigger events that change the plan are important to be documented and communicated to all personnel. Roadway features that should be included in the stations plow route maps include off-ramps, on-ramps, and unique intersections (e.g. Single Point Urban Interchanges (SPUI’s), Diverging Diamond Interchanges (DDI’s), Thru Turn intersections, etc.). Any physical feature which complicates the plowing effort should be included on the plan. Consider barrier/sound wall locations and how that will affect how the plow will push/throw snow. All overpass structures should be identified so plow drivers do not throw snow over the barrier/bridge parapet impacting vehicles below. Indicate areas that are susceptible to damage from wet heavy snow. The plow route map should also indicate how soon after a storm event, the station will remove snow from bridge parapets per the Snow Removal policy 06A-42.

The station supervisor determines a staffing plan to meet winter operations demands. The staffing plan includes contact numbers for shift supervisors along with schedules outlining the date and times of personnel to report for winter operation duties. The staffing plan should be coordinated with the area supervisor and neighboring maintenance stations to address the needs of high priority routes. The staffing plan should also identify reserve drivers and support staff who can provide assistance when needed for winter operations. The station supervisors must  ensure all payroll documentation is in place before winter operations begin (including on-call snow pay if required). 

There are several routes on the state transportation system identified as “seasonal routes” and are subject to seasonal closures. These routes are typically closed in November and re-opened in May or June depending upon the weather. It is important to work with the region communications group so they can notify the traveling public of when these routes are scheduled to be closed and again when they are scheduled to be re-opened.

At the present time the following state routes are subject to seasonal closures: 

Seasonal State Routes

UDOT is tasked with keeping the roads safe for drivers; this includes keeping unprepared vehicles off the most dangerous roads. There are many miles of state highways that are rated either as a Class 1 or Class 2 Traction Routes (see full map here). Class 1 only applies to vehicles over 12,000 GVW; this means tractor-trailers, buses and other large vehicles. Class 2 applies to all vehicles. Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons (Highways 190 and 210) as well as Highway 226 (Snowbasin Road) and Highway 158 (Powder Mountain Road) are examples of Class 2 routes. 

There will be more information on the various types of agreements that maintenance enters into with local agencies or third parties in Chapter 19 Agreements. 

Winter operations is one of the most critical activities UDOT maintenance forces perform. Having a pre-storm plan is crucial to assure maintenance forces perform at the peak of efficiency; this reduces operating costs, provides safer roads, and keeps all involved and informed with a plan for the storm event.

Post-storm meetings provide opportunities to have an open discussion while reviewing events which took place during the storm and assure UDOT policies, and standards were met. It also provides opportunities to share successes and discuss ways to improve the snow removal efforts/efficiencies. Review the AVL data as well as the snow and ice performance measures.

The activities bulleted below should be performed after storms to ensure the maintenance station is prepared for the next storm event. Performing these activities allows the maintenance station to take inventory of their deicing materials and assess their equipment and station area needs (such as knocked down signs, damaged barrier, crash cushions, etc.)

• Wash and clean winter snow equipment and make sure equipment is inspected, greased properly, and services are up to date.

• Check snow plow blades for wear and change blades if needed.

• Inventory salt and de-slicking grit stockpiles and order materials as needed.

• Make additional brine and fill storage tanks in preparation for the next storm event (for stations with brine facilities).

• Clean up after snow events:

  • Remove/haul off snow from structures’ bridge parapets.

  • Remove snow around and in front of crash cushions.

  • Remove snow from and in front of the concrete barrier/sound wall to provide additional snow storage, improve drainage and safety.

  • Wing/push back snow with grader along the roadway where needed in mountainous and high wind areas, to provide for additional snow storage.

  • Rural areas: clean their approved median turnarounds for UDOT and UHP to safely use. 

  • Clean on and off ramps and exit gores to assure proper drainage with freeze/thaw cycles.

  • Verify snow is pushed back in areas with curb and gutter to assure proper drainage with freeze/thaw cycles.

Refer to Section 8.7 for Non Storm Related Activities.

Much like after major storm events, it is a good practice to review the past season and discuss areas for improvement and reasons for success. This helps to prepare for future seasons and provides valuable information to participating employees. The post-winter meeting focuses on how to incorporate improvements and coordination between station employees,  neighboring stations, and outside stakeholders (UHP and local law enforcement).

Questions to Ask?

• Review snow and ice performance measures (whether the performance grades assigned are correct)

• Coordination and preparation efforts (effectiveness and improvement ideas for next season)

• Any problem areas that need to be addressed (bridge parapets, barriers, gore areas, intersections, turn pockets)

• Budget(appropriateness of the budget used to manage winter operations)

  • Staffing/overtime

  • Equipment usage

    • Plow blades (whether blades were effective and if they lasted as long as expected)

  • Material usage

• Training (potential benefits from additional training or specific training)

After the season is over, it is a good practice to review the overall season performance and review the successes and opportunities for improvement. The following link includes a checklist of questions that should be asked to help gauge performance:

Post-Winter Season Checklist