Tools of the
Trade
Fleet Tracking
Utilizing Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) and GPRS Modem
Technology allows Miami Township residents
to monitor the progress of
the salt trucks in real time. CLICK
HERE to visit the Salt Truck
website.
Salt Brine
Shown to be a cost effective pre-wetting
solution for snow and ice control, Miami Township began using
salt
brine in the Winter of 2003-2004 to help improve the effectiveness
of rock salt and calcium chloride. Residents
will not notice any
changes in our operating procedures, however the Service Department
will see a significant
savings on materials purchased.
Rock Salt
The most widely used de-icing agent in the United
States because of its cost and effectiveness. With favorable
temperatures (above about 25 degrees), salt can melt several inches of
snow and will prevent or reduce the
bonding of compacted snow to
pavement surface. Salt usage is monitored through the use of onboard
ground
sensing hydraulic equipment. The hi-tech salt trucks
automatically manage salt usage. Salt application rates
are set by the
driver but controlled by the truck. As the truck’s speed increases
the application of salt is
increased, as the truck slows and stops the
application reduces and stops. A black box also records the
application history documenting the date, time, application rate,
speed of the truck and annual spreading totals.
Township salt
consumption has been reduced since the installation of the ground
sensing equipment.
Calcium Chloride
Used on the rock salt when temperatures fall
below 25 degrees and/or when traffic volumes are too light to
activate
the chemicals. A ratio of 9 gallons of liquid calcium chloride to
every ton of sodium chloride (salt). The
calcium chloride reacts with
the salt to create effective melting at temperatures up to 20 degrees
below zero.
Plowing
Starts once the snow reaches a depth of two inches. Salt
truck drivers are usually able to complete their routes
in a minimum
of 4 1/2 hours. But once plows are attached to the trucks the time
needed to complete a route
almost doubles.
