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ODOT'S SNOW AND ICE PROGRAM |
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Prior to the onset of an unusual weather event, the County Manager, with the assistance of the District, is responsible for planning and organizing their response to the event. This would include issues such as anticipated storm duration, available manpower and equipment, traffic problems, and material stockpiles. The County Manager keeps the District Radio Dispatcher (if used) and State Radio Dispatchers informed about roadway conditions, weather conditions and the number of crews actively participating in snow and ice control operations in their County. ODOT has available 1536 trucks with plows and 400,000 tons of salt stored at 222 locations around the state. The average cost for winter operations is $24 million. This includes labor, equipment, and materials. During the winter months roughly 2,500 ODOT employees are available for snow and ice removal. The salt use varies from 300,000 tons to 550,000 tons in most years. |
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ODOT is responsible for 43,000 lane miles of highways statewide, which are prioritized for snow and ice control. Interstates are the highest priority, followed by four-lane non-interstates, two lane primary roads and two lane secondary roads. Truck plowing routes are based on local needs, with key transportation areas, emergency routes and traffic volume being factors in the selection process. The Department has made a number of changes to its snow and ice program to improve effectiveness. Plow operators used to operate under 12 pages of directives that told them what to do and when to do it. Now the process has been de-centralized. Districts, County Managers, and snow plow operators are given guidelines, not mandates, to help make better decision in fighting winter storms. |
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Districts have also been given responsibility for their snow and ice budgets. They now directly determine the amount of material needed to cover their area and can budget and allocate those resources accordingly. |
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For Winter snow and ice road conditions, please click |
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Motorists can also help snow and ice control efforts by the following a few smart winter driving tips: * LEAVE EARLY - Expect any trip to take double the normal amount of time. * PLAN YOUR ROUTE - Avoid steep upgrades and lightly traveled roads where deep snow drifts may form. * SLOW DOWN - Slick pavement means reduced traction and loss of control. On snow or ice the posted limit is NOT a safe speed. * INCREASE FOLLOWING DISTANCE - It can take from three to 10 times farther to stop on winter-slick pavement than on a dry road. Allow a large gap between yourself and the car ahead of you. * STOP GRADUALLY - Never slam on your brakes in ice or snow. |
The
Snow and Ice Program begins with our county operations. The County Manager
takes steps to adequately plan and prepare for the approaching winter season.
This plan includes equipment readiness, truck routing, call out procedures,
supplemental drivers, emergency equipment rental, training, and material
inventory control. The County Manager coordinates this preseason
plan with their District Highway Administrator. The District Highway
Administrator is responsible for integrating the preseason plans of all the
Counties to ensure the efficiency of the District's overall snow and ice control
operations.
