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NS768: Tools for improving visibility for snow plowing
Problem and objectives
Snowplows serve an important role in winter maintenance efforts. Often, plow operators must work in extremely low visibility conditions due to falling or blowing snow, resulting in damage to infrastructure such as curbs, roundabouts, signs and other roadside objects. Additionally, in rural areas it can be difficult to identify the edge of the roadway and adjacent ditches. This project will study how recent technological advancements such as GPS and cameras can help enhance the plow operator’s visibility/operation of a snowplow.
To answer questions about how technology can be helpful in snowplow operations, the research team will conduct the following:
- Synthesize existing literature on applicable guidance technology
- Survey state and local MN agencies to learn what technology is currently being used on snowplows
- Search for technologies in use by other agencies throughout the United States, non-exclusive to MN
- Develop a technology suite with associated costs to implement in snowplows, consisting of alternative camera/screen for forward viewing, GPS positioning/lane keeping, or some combination
- Review the cost effectiveness and safety of implementing technology for snowplow visibility
- Review limitations of the different technologies
- Develop technical materials to aid in the deployment of the researched technology
Suggested deliverables
- Technological suite options and associated costs
- Technical materials detailing implementation considerations
- Research report detailing study findings
Expected benefits
The numbers 1 and 2 indicate whether the source of the benefit measurement is from:
- A specific research task in your project that supports measuring this particular benefit, or
- Implementation of the research findings (anticipating positive results)
- Decrease Engineering/Administrative Cost (2): Provide guidance on up-front costs and benefits to save staff time and money in planning
- Operation and Maintenance Saving (2): This could lead to savings in time and repairs
- Safety (2): Provide resources to local agencies who want to implement a system that helps drivers identify and avoid obstructions
- User Benefits: (2). Less physical harm on the operator after a sudden jolt in the cab from hitting an obstruction or crashing into a snow filled ditch.
- Risk Management (2): Implementation of this could help reduce damages caused by plows
Previous research
See Need statement & literature search (PDF).
Possible members for the technical advisory panel
- Jason DiPiazza, Lake County
- Kory Johnson, Itasca County
- Joe Wilson, Lincoln County
- Jamie Larsen, Redwood County
- PJ Duchene, Rice County
- Cory Johnson, MnDOT ITS
- Bryce Struckman, Olmstead County
- Kevin Schlangen, Dakota County