CHAPTER 8

Automation-Assisted Snowplows

8.1 Description of Automation-Assisted Snowplows

Several different types of automation have been utilized for snowplows, with automatic vehicle location/locating (AVL) as the primary automated function. GPS technology is used to track snowplows’ progress, which can be used to optimize route efficiency. Agencies are able to monitor sensor data and adjust to changing conditions in real time. The technology can also be used to provide an operator’s view of the roadway and inform the public about the location of snowplows. Other types of automated functions for snowplows have included additional communications capacity, such as wireless or on-board units (OBUs).

A number of DOTs have implemented automated functions such as AVL/GPS in snowplows to support winter maintenance operations, as described in the following sections.

8.2 Examples of Applications for Automation-Assisted Snowplows

Information about how agencies have utilized automated snowplows was gathered from a review of the literature and a survey of agencies.

8.2.1 Responses from the Survey

A survey was conducted to gather information about the automated processes that IOOs have implemented or are planning to implement, as described in Chapter 3. Agencies were asked about the automated processes they have used or piloted and the processes that they thought could benefit from automation. Around 18% (n = 6) of agencies noted that they are using some type of automation for snowplows, while around 15% (n = 5) indicated that they are considering using or piloting the use of automation for snowplows in the next 3 to 5 years.

Agencies were also asked about the processes that they thought would benefit the most from automation. Fifty-two percent (n = 15) of agencies indicated that they thought snowplow operations would benefit from automation.

8.2.2 Colorado

CDOT has all 1,200 snowplows and 900 light vehicles equipped with AVL. In addition to location, the system provides snowplow position, treatment material application rate, the amount

of material used, pavement surface and air temperature, engine diagnostics, engine idle time, humidity, inspection data, and speed. CDOT is able to track and monitor vehicle location and maintenance activities in real time and can do reporting (Lee and Nelson 2018a).

A project in Colorado also equipped snowplows with OBUs to communicate with roadside units (RSUs) (see Figure 8-1). The technology allocated early green lights or extended existing green lights when a CDOT snowplow was detected. The system was expected to decrease plow time and improve traffic operations (CDOT 2021).

8.2.3 Michigan

MDOT procured and installed AVL/GPS equipment on its approximately 340 snowplow trucks. (While MDOT also contracts with counties to perform winter maintenance on state-maintained routes, the AVL procurement was only for MDOT-owned snowplow vehicles.) The equipment includes spreader controllers, pavement temperature sensors, position sensors, gate sensors, hydraulic meter sensors, and a dash cam. The system provides reports such as speed compliance, blade usage, and material usage (Lee and Nelson 2018b).

MDOT has also added communications capacity to its snowplow fleet. Instrumentation of the snowplows began in 2013 with 300 snowplows equipped, which represented most of its fleet. (It should be noted that MDOT had contracted winter maintenance for about 70% of its lane miles.) The snowplow communications equipment uses a mix of 3G and 4G, with the most recent outfitting being 4G because the cellular provider no longer supports 3G.

Each snowplow has a mobile data collector (MDC) unit that interfaces with a control unit featuring plow blade sensors (up or down), air and road temperature sensors, GPS, and spreader controllers. Data from the MDC are transmitted to the cloud-hosted MDOT central system, where system administrators monitor, analyze, and report on the information. To facilitate these activities, Delcan Technologies integrated a maintenance decision support system (MDSS) into an MDC touchscreen application. Specialized reports have helped monitor efficient salt usage and identify potential salting compliance issues (Delcan 2022).

The system transmits data wirelessly via a cellular network to a website where reports can be generated, including vehicle location, for the public. Information is also sent to maintenance garages and back to the snowplow drivers. This linkage allows drivers to make forecasts and

treatment suggestions. The next step is to utilize Bluetooth technology to create a self-contained wireless sensing unit on the snowplows to avoid wires and other connections back to the data logger. However, a mix of the current technology and Bluetooth is expected because the latter is more expensive.

8.2.4 Nebraska

The Nebraska DOT installed AVL systems on most of its fleet of around 225 vehicles. Older vehicles needed to be phased out of the fleet. The system includes GPS, spreader controllers, plow controllers, pavement temperature sensors, a dash cam, on-board diagnostics (OBD-II) ports, and software that monitors the weather forecast to determine winter maintenance strategies (Lee and Nelson 2018c).

8.2.5 Nevada

NDOT has a connected snowplow program in the Lake Tahoe region to help manage the transportation system ahead of and during adverse weather events. OBUs give snowplows the ability to communicate with each other and with RSUs. A web interface incorporates real-time local, national, and mobile weather data and suggests roadway treatments and timing (e.g., sand, salt, brine application) (Hallmark et al. 2024).

8.2.6 Ohio

The Ohio DOT has equipped its snowplow trucks with AVL/GPS technology, including a front camera to observe conditions while snowplowing. This system has saved a considerable amount of time for decision-makers. Alongside these benefits, live video and still images aid in determining the current condition of the roadway and planning accordingly. The Ohio DOT also has 800 cameras placed along state highways to facilitate the overall snowplowing work. To reduce the cost of data storage, a still image is saved every 5 minutes. The Ohio DOT also uses weather predictions and provides pre-treatment to roads (with salt or brine) to protect the surfaces from snowfall (Y-CITY News 2021).

8.2.7 Utah

UDOT has a fleet of 508 snowplows and responds to more than 25 winter storms annually. AVL was installed on all of UDOT’s snowplows, primarily to inform the public about vehicle locations, as shown in Figure 8-2. The system collects position, ignition status, speed, and mileage. AVL data are integrated with road weather information system data (Lee and Nelson 2018d). Additionally, snowplows in Utah County were equipped with OBUs that can send and receive messages from traffic signals using dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) technology. The application is used to preempt traffic signals, allowing snowplow operators to move through intersections and keep their snowplows moving at efficient speeds (UDOT 2022).

8.2.8 Washington

The Washington State DOT integrated AVL/GPS on around 400 of its 500 snowplows as of 2018. In addition to GPS, the system features spreader controllers, air and pavement temperature sensors, plow position sensors, and hydraulic sensors. The system is used for real-time vehicle location and material usage tracking, which improves operational efficiency,

supports and minimizes tort liability, and enables resource and route planning. Operators are able to use the system to make decisions about the amount and type of material to be used (Lee and Nelson 2018e).

8.2.9 Wisconsin

WisDOT has instrumented around 400 of its snowplows with AVL/GPS, with the total state fleet being around 750 snowplows throughout the state. The system features GPS, spreader controllers, air and pavement temperature sensors, plow position sensors, gate sensors, engine diagnostics, hydraulic sensors, and ground speed controllers. WisDOT is able to communicate the location of winter maintenance assets in a timely manner during winter weather events to improve efficiency and incident response. Data such as the type of material applied and application rate are uploaded when vehicles are within cellular coverage range (Lee and Nelson 2018f).

8.2.10 Other Applications

Several countries worldwide have implemented autonomous systems for snowplows. After an intensive trial, Oslo Airport in Norway introduced six heavy-duty autonomous snowplow trucks. The new RS 600 snowplow has a 38 ft wide snowplow with a 30 ft wide brush. It has the ability to clean 5,235,000 ft²/hour. The overall system can deploy six vehicles at a time; only one person is needed to monitor these six vehicles (Legnani 2022).

Winnipeg Richardson International Airport uses an autonomous snowplow vehicle named “OTTO,” which has made snowplowing safer and more efficient. The snowplow includes GPS along with radar and lidar sensors. It can be operated with or without a driver, but it is always remotely controlled by an individual. When there is zero visibility, this snowplow can be used efficiently to ensure the safety of workers (Macyshon 2019).

Automated snowplow technology was tested at Europe’s northernmost airport, Ivalo Airport in Finland, in the winter of 2018–2019. The test was successful for all stakeholders (Finavia 2019).

8.3 Summary of Applications for Automation-Assisted Snowplows

Eight states were identified as using some type of automation assistance in snowplows. The majority utilize AVL, and several have equipped snowplows with OBUs so they are able to communicate with RSUs and leverage DSRC technology.

8.3.1 Advantages

The use of AVL and enhanced communication technologies offer a number of advantages:

• Ability to monitor status and adjust operations in real time,
• Ability to communicate snowplow location to the public,
• Remote monitoring of systems, and
• Improved forecasting.

8.3.2 Disadvantages

No specific disadvantages were noted for automation-assisted snowplows.

8.3.3 Costs

Most of the sources consulted did not provide specific estimates of cost. However, most of the applications involved retrofits of existing snowplows.

8.3.4 Status of Automation-Assisted Snowplows

A number of DOTs and other transportation agencies have incorporated AVL and enhanced communication systems into their snowplow fleets. The use of fully autonomous snowplows, however, is not yet market ready.