Sicop Talks Winter Ops

On this episode of the National Briefing we feature the Maintenance Operations Technical Working Group of AASHTOs Maintenance Committee. One of the 5 Technical Working Groups of this Committee, Maintenance Operations focuses on activities like winter maintenance, work zones, and safety.  Check out the PRESENTATION SLIDE DECK  and If you want more information about this Technical Working Group you can check out the MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE WEBSITE  or email Chair Brad Darr or Vice Chair Jed Falgren  Watch the video and presentation along with all the other briefings on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@Talkinwinterops Sign up for email notifications on future episodes and other communications associated with winter maintenance and winter weather management by clicking on subscribe on the Talkin' Winter Ops website at TalkinWinterOps.comThanks for listening in and stay safe out there!

The National Winter Maintenance and Road Weather Briefing is an annual event where organizations working in this space can highlight their activities and advancements in winter maintenance and road weather.  This year 11 organizations will be sharing their accomplishments in this series and how you may benefit for their work.These presentations are also available on our YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/@TalkinWinterOps I hope you get an opportunity to listen in on all these episodes.Sign up for email notifications on future episodes and other communications associated with winter maintenance and winter weather management by clicking on subscribe on the Talkin' Winter Ops website at TalkinWinterOps.comThanks for listening in and stay safe out there!

We’ve been on a training theme for the last couple of episodes which, I think, is super relevant considering the average level of experience in the winter maintenance profession right now.  As maintenance managers, where do you go to get relevant, state of the practice, training for you’re winter maintenance operators and supervisors?  One option is offered through the American Public Works Association.  We just wrapped up a great conversation with Dan Schacher of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Northern Region Maintenance & Operations Manager and, more importantly,  coordinator for APWAs Winter maintenance supervisors and operator certificate program. Dan explains that this program is geared for state and local supervisors and operators alike. Listen in as we visit with Dan as he tells us about this certificate program and how it might be well suited for your staff.For more information on the APWA Supervisor and Operator Certification Program you can email Dan at daniel.scha

When it comes to preparing your folks for leadership roles in highway maintenance the National Highway Institute Maintenance Leadership Academy is the gold standard.  This comprehensive program and the experiences of the instructors provide a wealth of knowledge into all the aspects of highway maintenance a maintenance professional might face through 6 topic modules from administration to responding to severe weather events.  Course coordinator Jeremy Birkey and certified instructor Greg Duncan of Applied Pavement Technology and Jim Weston of the Washington State DOT share their experiences and thoughts about this leadership academy and how folks can benefit for participation.  For more information about the National Highway Institute, The Maintenance Leadership Academy,  and how you and your agency might benefit from hosting or attending a session you can reach out to Jeremy, Greg, or Jim.  Check out the National Highway Institute at this link: https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/ and the Maintenance Leadership Aca

When New Hampshire began developing the I-93 widening project there was concern about the amount of salt that might be introduced into the environment due to winter operations and this became to impetus for the creation of the Green SnowPro Program through the Department of Environmental Services.  Marilee Enus, Director of the New Hampshire Local Technical Assistance Program (NH LTAP), at the University of New Hampshire's Technology Transfer Center (UNH T2) and Scott Kinmond, Technology Specialist/Instructor explain the program and certification program.For more information about the Green SnowPro visit the NH Department of Environmental Services website at https://www.des.nh.gov/land/roads/road-salt-reduction.  And if you’re interested in more detail on the Green SnowPro program, including a good discussion of the legislative process (including a legislative partner who was in the winter maintenance industry), as well as a review of a recent legal case that “tested” the liability coverage, our webinar

AI and Machine Learning will probably be the next disruptive technology that will spawn a quantum leap in the way we approach the provision of winter service.  On this episode we’re heading to the University at Albany in New York to visit with Nick Bassill,  director of the New York State Weather Risk Communication Center and Carly Sutter, graduate research assistant there at the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center about a project Carly has been working on with the New York State Department of Transportation to identify road conditions from images using machine learning and the results could have impacts well beyond.They take some of the mystery out of AI and machine learning is a way that's easy to understand.  For more info on this project, AI and machine learning reach out to Nick at nbassill@albany.edu or Carly at csutter@albany.eduSign up for email notifications on future episodes and other communications associated with winter maintenance and winter weather management by clicking on subscribe on t

We've been talking about electrification of the maintenance fleet for some time now and the conversation always turns to the challenges facing the rollout of this technology particularly when it comes to winter maintenance.  Diminished load carrying capacity due to the weight of the batteries, battery performance in cold operating environments, range anxiety, and the lack of rapid charging infrastructure re just a few.  Well, Edison Motors Ltd based in Merritt, British Columbia has found the answer to these challenges and are in the process of developing a plugin hybrid electric snowplow for Emcon Services Inc, the largest maintenance contractor in Canada.  Frank Rizzardo, President of Emcon Services is here along with the founders of Edison Motors, Chace Barber and Eric Little to tell us all about their plugin hybrid electric snowplow project.  check out the progress of the hybrid snowplow build and other vocational trucks Edison Motors have built on their YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@Edi

Road Weather Information Systems unlocked a whole host of opportunities when it comes to performing winter maintenance.  Paul Bridge is an important player when it comes to RWIS from his early days at the Met UK through stints with RWIS vendors. His understanding of the technology and how it is used to help highway agencies do good winter maintenance is the topic of this episode from the early days of RWIS deployments in the US through AI as a force multiplier.You can reach out to Paul by email at pbridge@campbellsci.com to continue the discussion or learn more about the technology in its various forms.Sign up for email notifications on future episodes and other communications associated with winter maintenance and winter weather management by clicking on subscribe on the Talkin' Winter Ops website at TalkinWinterOps.comThanks for listening in and stay safe out there!

APWA’s Western Snow and Ice Conference and Snow Roadeo is one of the premier events in the world of winter maintenance and it happens every year in Loveland, Colorado.  In addition to the indoor activities and huge equipment and vendor display, hundreds of operators put their mastery of equipment operation on display at the National Snow Roadeo.  Pete Adler and Tim Brady join us to discuss this event and particulars of the Snow Roadeo. For more information about this event head over to their website at https://www.westernsnowandice.com/ or you can contact Pete Adler at rockies325@gmail.com or Tim Brady timothy.brady@cityofloveland.orgSign up for email notifications on future episodes and other communications associated with winter maintenance and winter weather management by clicking on subscribe on the Talkin' Winter Ops website at TalkinWinterOps.comThanks for listening in and stay safe out there!

The 2024 National Briefing on Winter Maintenance and Road Weather gives organizations working in this space an opportunity to showcase their efforts to advance the state of the practice through collaboration, research, technical support, and implementation.  This episode features the Professional Snowfighters Association. This series is produced in collaboration with the AASHTO Maintenance Committee, the Maintenance Operations Technical Working Group, and the Winter Weather Management Technical Service Program. For more information you can reach out to:Wilf Nixon at wilf@psassoc.orgKathrine Nixon at kathrine@psassoc.orgWatch the video and presentation along with all the other briefings on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@Talkinwinterops  Visit the APWA website at https://professionalsnowfightersassociation.orgSign up for email notifications on future episodes and other communications associated with winter maintenance and winter weather management by clicking on subscribe on the Talkin' Winte

The 2024 National Briefing on Winter Maintenance and Road Weather gives organizations working in this space an opportunity to showcase their efforts to advance the state of the practice through collaboration, research, technical support, and implementation.  This episode features the American Meteorological Societies ITS and Surface Transportation Committee. This series is produced in collaboration with the AASHTO Maintenance Committee, the Maintenance Operations Technical Working Group, and the Winter Weather Management Technical Service Program. For more information you can reach out to:Amanda Anderson at aander@ucar.eduWatch the video and presentation along with all the other briefings on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@Talkinwinterops Sign up for email notifications on future episodes and other communications associated with winter maintenance and winter weather management by clicking on subscribe on the Talkin' Winter Ops website at TalkinWinterOps.comThanks for listening in and stay sa

The 2024 National Briefing on Winter Maintenance and Road Weather gives organizations working in this space an opportunity to showcase their efforts to advance the state of the practice through collaboration, research, technical support, and implementation.  This episode features the APWA Snow & Ice Committee. This series is produced in collaboration with the AASHTO Maintenance Committee, the Maintenance Operations Technical Working Group, and the Winter Weather Management Technical Service Program. For more information you can reach out to:Matt Morreim at mmorreim@ci.shorewood.mn.usWatch the video and presentation along with all the other briefings on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@Talkinwinterops Sign up for email notifications on future episodes and other communications associated with winter maintenance and winter weather management by clicking on subscribe on the Talkin' Winter Ops website at TalkinWinterOps.comThanks for listening in and stay safe out there!

The 2024 National Briefing on Winter Maintenance and Road Weather gives organizations working in this space an opportunity to showcase their efforts to advance the state of the practice through collaboration, research, technical support, and implementation.  This episode features the FHWA Road Weather Management Program. This series is produced in collaboration with the AASHTO Maintenance Committee, the Maintenance Operations Technical Working Group, and the Winter Weather Management Technical Service Program. For more information you can reach out to:Jeremy McGuffey at jeremy.mcguffey@dot.govWatch the video and presentation along with all the other briefings on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@Talkinwinterops Visit the FHWA Road Weather Management website at https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/weather/index.aspSign up for email notifications on future episodes and other communications associated with winter maintenance and winter weather management by clicking on subscribe on the Talkin' Winter Ops web

The 2024 National Briefing on Winter Maintenance and Road Weather gives organizations working in this space an opportunity to showcase their efforts to advance the state of the practice through collaboration, research, technical support, and implementation.  This episode features the World Road Associations Winter Service Technical Committee. This series is produced in collaboration with the AASHTO Maintenance Committee, the Maintenance Operations Technical Working Group, and the Winter Weather Management Technical Service Program. For more information you can reach out to :Peter Nutz at peter.nutz@wien.gv.atWatch the video and presentation along with all the other briefings on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@Talkinwinterops Visit the PIARC Winter Service Technical Committee website at this link PIARC Winter Service. Sign up for email notifications on future episodes and other communications associated with winter maintenance and winter weather management by clicking on subscribe on the Talkin&ap

The 2024 National Briefing on Winter Maintenance and Road Weather gives organizations working in this space an opportunity to showcase their efforts to advance the state of the practice through collaboration, research, technical support, and implementation.  This episode features the Transportation Research Board Road Weather Committee. This series is produced in collaboration with the AASHTO Maintenance Committee, the Maintenance Operations Technical Working Group, and the Winter Weather Management Technical Service Program. For more information you can reach out to:Paul Pisano at paul@allealle.comWatch the video and presentation along with all the other briefings on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@Talkinwinterops Visit the TRB Road Weather Committee website at:https://sites.google.com/view/trbcommitteeakr50/homeSign up for email notifications on future episodes and other communications associated with winter maintenance and winter weather management by clicking on subscribe on the Talkin'

The 2024 National Briefing on Winter Maintenance and Road Weather gives organizations working in this space an opportunity to showcase their efforts to advance the state of the practice through collaboration, research, technical support, and implementation.  This episode features the Transportation Research Board Winter Maintenance Committee . This series is produced in collaboration with the AASHTO Maintenance Committee, the Maintenance Operations Technical Working Group, and the Winter Weather Management Technical Service Program. For more information you can reach out to:Anna Arvidsson at anna.arvidsson@vti.seWatch the video and presentation along with all the other briefings on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@Talkinwinterops Sign up for email notifications on future episodes and other communications associated with winter maintenance and winter weather management by clicking on subscribe on the Talkin' Winter Ops website at TalkinWinterOps.comThanks for listening in and stay safe out the

The 2024 National Briefing on Winter Maintenance and Road Weather gives organizations working in this space an opportunity to showcase their efforts to advance the state of the practice through collaboration, research, technical support, and implementation.  This episode features the No Boundaries Pooled Fund Study. This series is produced in collaboration with the AASHTO Maintenance Committee, the Maintenance Operations Technical Working Group, and the Winter Weather Management Technical Service Program.For more information you can reach out to: Jim Fox at james.fox@state.co.us Kirsten Seeber with CTC and Associates at  kirsten.seeber@ctcandassociates.comWatch the video and presentation along with all the other briefings on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@Talkinwinterops Visit the No Boundaries website at: https://maintainroads.org/Sign up for email notifications on future episodes and other communications associated with winter maintenance and winter weather management by clicking on subscribe

The 2024 National Briefing on Winter Maintenance and Road Weather gives organizations working in this space an opportunity to showcase their efforts to advance the state of the practice through collaboration, research, technical support, and implementation.  This episode features the Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS) Pooled Fund Study.This series is produced in collaboration with the AASHTO Maintenance Committee, the Maintenance Operations Technical Working Group, and the Winter Weather Management Technical Service Program.For more information you can reach out to:Dave Huft at Dave.Huft@state.sd.us Shawn Truelson with DTN at shawn.truelson@dtn.comWatch the video and presentation along with all the other briefings on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@Talkinwinterops Visit the MDSS Pooled Fund Study website at: https://mdss.dtn.com/Sign up for email notifications on future episodes and other communications associated with winter maintenance and winter weather management by clicking on subscr

The 2024 National Briefing on Winter Maintenance and Road Weather gives organizations working in this space an opportunity to showcase their efforts to advance the state of the practice through collaboration, research, technical support, and implementation.  This episode features the Clear Roads Pooled Fund Study. This series is produced in collaboration with the AASHTO Maintenance Committee, the Maintenance Operations Technical Working Group, and the Winter Weather Management Technical Service Program. For more information you can reach out to:Craig Bargfrede at craig.bargfrede@iowadot.us Greg Waidley with CTC and Associates at  greg.waidley@ctcandassociates.comWatch the video and presentation along with all the other briefings on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@Talkinwinterops  Visit the Clear Roads Pooled Fund Study website at: https://www.clearroads.org/Sign up for email notifications on future episodes and other communications associated with winter maintenance and winter weather management

The 2024 National Briefing on Winter Maintenance and Road Weather gives organizations working in this space an opportunity to showcase their efforts to advance the state of the practice through collaboration, research, technical support, and implementation.  This episode features the Aurora Pooled Fund Study. This series is produced in collaboration with the AASHTO Maintenance Committee, the Maintenance Operations Technical Working Group, and the Winter Weather Management Technical Service Program. For more information you can reach out to:Jason Norville at janorville@pa.gov Zach Hans with Iowa State University at zhans@iastate.eduWatch the video and presentation along with all the other briefings on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@Talkinwinterops Visit the Aurora Pooled Fund Study website at:https://aurora-program.org/Sign up for email notifications on future episodes and other communications associated with winter maintenance and winter weather management by clicking on subscribe on the Talkin&