A collaborative research program, Clear Roads, is spearheading innovation in winter road maintenance by bringing together transportation professionals and researchers from across the United States. The initiative focuses on evaluating materials, equipment, and methods under real-world conditions to identify the most effective techniques and technologies. This ultimately aims to save agencies money, improve safety, and increase efficiency during winter operations.
Program Overview
Since its inception in 2004, Clear Roads has grown to include 39 member agencies. Representatives from participating departments of transportation meet biannually to discuss and prioritize projects, share effective practices, and review research results. The program's primary activities include:
- Evaluating winter maintenance materials, equipment, and methods under real-world conditions.
- Developing specifications and recommendations.
- Studying and promoting innovative techniques and technologies that will save agencies money, improve safety, and increase efficiency.
- Supporting technology transfer by developing practical field guides and training curriculum to promote the results of research projects.
Impact and Activities
The Clear Roads program directly addresses the challenges posed by winter weather conditions on roadways. By rigorously testing and evaluating various maintenance strategies, the program helps transportation agencies make informed decisions about resource allocation and deployment. The program also emphasizes the dissemination of research findings through practical field guides and training curricula, ensuring that the latest advancements are readily accessible to practitioners in the field. This collaborative approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in winter road maintenance, ultimately benefiting both transportation agencies and the traveling public.
