Proper materials application: The GWM calibration team continues to evaluate and calibrate all anti-icing/deicing materials and equipment. Proper calibration of all equipment is essential. This will always be a work in progress.

Operator training: It is essential that all equipment operators be well trained in applying materials appropriately with their assigned application equipment. It is expected that operators will apply appropriate quantities of anti-icing/deicing materials as per the Operations Matrix and or as conditions warrant. The acting "Snow Supervisor" has the final say on rates and materials during all snow events.

Materials: Alternative granular deicing products continue to be evaluated for effectiveness, non-corrosive properties, ease of application, and cost. Grounds personnel will use only those materials deemed least damaging to University facilities and the environment. GWM is currently using Magnesium chloride as its primary granular deicer for walks, steps, plazas, entryways, etc.

Application: Anti-icing products will be applied to paved surfaces when forecasts indicate there is a 50% probability of precipitation or other factors that may lead to slippery conditions for pedestrians and motorists. Research has shown that anti-icing practices improve the level of service and reduce total salt usage. Personnel will follow guidelines laid out in the “Operations Matrix”.

Reduced salt use through expansion of liquid anti-icing/deicing materials and equipment: GWM has reduced it’s salt and sand use by an average of 43%. GWM currently has 17 liquid application units to cover all roads, parking lots, sidewalks, and entryways. Areas designated for anti-icing/deicing treatments will be sprayed with rates of application outlined in the “Operations Matrix”. The principle liquid material is 23% Salt Brine mixed with Caliber M-1000 (30% concentration magnesium chloride brine blended with an engineered agricultural byproduct at a 90/10 ratio). This product has corrosion inhibiting properties and a very low effective melting temperature. We mix the two at a 90% Salt Brine/10% M-1000 ratio. The added M-1000 not only lowers the temperature at which you can apply it also acts as a sticker/spreader to hold it in place before the storm.

GWM currently has 3 salt spreaders in its fleet that have ground speed control equipment installed. Ground speed control and the associated in cab computer system enables the operator to make precise applications regardless of vehicle speed. Additionally, Grounds personnel can download actual material application data from each of these three vehicles in real time. These vehicles are equipped with RoadWatch pavement and ambient air temperature sensors. This information is useful to operators for understanding what is occurring at the pavement surface and how to best manage resources.

GWM currently has a 925 gallon liquid application unit that is designed to apply liquids on roads and parking lots for anti-icing and de-icing. This unit is capable of working up to 45 mph covering one, two or three drive lanes. The rates are computer controlled correlated to ground speed from inside the cab. We use this unit for direct road and parking lot applications of very light snow amounts.

GWM will continue to use our brine maker to manufacture 23.3% brine derived from standard, untreated road salt. This material will be applied alone when conditions warrant it and will be blended in various ratios with the Caliber M-1000 when colder effective temperature ranges are necessary. The inclusion of the sodium chloride brine in the product mix will reduce costs and enable more wide spread application. Application rates have been set at 20-40 gallons per lane mile (12' x 5280' or 1.454 acres) in the anti-icing mode and 40-100 gallons per lane mile in the de-icing mode.

Treated road salt: GWM will continue the practice of using treated road salt. This practice improves the level of service while cutting total salt use. Treated salt is rock salt that has a magnesium chloride based solution applied at a rate of approximately 8 to 10 gallons per ton. Treated salt has faster melting properties, reduces the temperature at which salt is effective, and minimizes bounce and scatter on the road surface resulting in less salt loss to inappropriate areas. GWM is currently using treated salt as its primary material.

Closure of non-essential facilities ingress/egress: Campus facilities continue to be evaluated for the potential to close certain areas of campus for maintenance purposes. Provided that customer convenience is not compromised, closure of non-essential areas reduces maintenance costs, speeds up reaction time, reduces potential exposure to liability, and reduces the use of chemical deicers.

Additional ongoing programs: This includes enclosing walk and ramps from the elements, the potential for heating paved surfaces, paving surface materials and how they impact snow removal operations or are impacted by them, paved surface area obstacles which hinder snow clearance and result in equipment damage and down time, automatic liquid deicing dispensing systems for high value/high use infrastructure and exploration of a winter emergency ordinance for the winter months.

If you are interested in further information please check the O.S.E.H web page on stormwater quality, or contact GWM Foreman Rob Doletzky at 763-5539.

Salt De-Icing Program Mission

"establish and promote best management practices for deicing that minimize deterioration to buildings, infrastructure, and the environment without compromising safety."

Brine treated walkway

Anti-icing Bonisteel Ave.

Closure priority value