Cincinnati has introduced an innovative real-time snowplow tracker system, which became operational for the first time on Monday, delivering minute-by-minute updates to residents as crews readied the roads for expected snowfall.
This cutting-edge system is designed to assist snowplow drivers in efficiently navigating their routes during winter weather conditions. Equipped with tablets, the drivers will meticulously document their progress on snow-affected roads, tracking where snowplows have operated and the treatments administered.
Ahead of the winter storm anticipated to impact the Tri-State area, crews pretreated extensive areas of Cincinnati’s roadways on Monday evening. The new tracking technology features a color-coded map that allows residents to easily monitor current street conditions, which are categorized as follows:
– Untreated: The street has not yet received any service.
– Pretreatment: A liquid salt brine has been applied prior to the storm to prevent snow and ice accumulation.
– Salted: Rock salt has been spread to aid in melting snow and ice.
– Plowed: Snow has been removed from the right-of-way.
– Salted and Plowed: Snow has been cleared, and rock salt has been applied for further melting.
– Problem: Crews have encountered issues that prevented treatment.
This system was put into place following the challenges faced during Winter Storm Blair in January, which brought continuous snowfall for almost two days, leaving many neighborhoods with unplowed streets for an extensive period.
To further enhance winter readiness, the city has installed ten weather stations throughout Cincinnati to monitor snow depth, road conditions, and surface temperatures in diverse locations.
Residents like Helen Robinson from Sayler Park expressed their satisfaction with the new tracker. Living on a steep, winding road, Robinson shared how challenging it can become during snowy conditions. She noted her pleasant surprise at the timely pretreatment of her road, as her area is often among the last to be attended to.
“This is nice to be first instead of last for a change,” Robinson remarked, highlighting the importance of the new system in ensuring safer travel through difficult conditions.
For residents eager to utilize the Cincinnati snowplow tracker, further information is available for access.