DOI

10.5703/1288284315222

Abstract

INDOT has successfully used salt brine in anti-icing efforts as a way to deliver preventative treatment before an event (e.g., bridge deck frost) occurs. In 2011 INDOT wanted to investigate the use of salt brine in de-icing operations. This study executed a comparative analysis of brine routes and salt routes during two winter seasons (2011-2012 and 2012-2013). The first winter season there were twenty-one study routes and the second winter season forty-one routes. Both winter seasons would be classified as “mild” and most winter events would be characterized with low levels of precipitation. The 2012-2013 winter was a month longer with two major events occurring in March.

Another study item designed and fabricated a combination winter vehicle and analyzed its performance.

Data collected during these two winter seasons and the following data analysis revealed that liquid routes are more cost effective than granular routes under most weather conditions and pavement temperature ranges. Other recommendations are included in the report findings.

Report Number

FHWA/IN/JTRP-2013/20

Keywords

liquid routes, brine, de-icing, salt, winter operations, combination unit

SPR Number

3618

Performing Organization

Joint Transportation Research Program

Publisher Place

West Lafayette, Indiana

Date of this Version

10-2013

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