Monday, April 23

General Session "Talk Show"
Snow Fighting Around the World
Talk Show Guests: Lynn Bernhard, Utah Department of Transportation, Salt Lake City, UT; Mark Dutton, Safecote Limited, Northwich, YT, UK; Dominic Guthrie, City of Toronto, ON; Joe Imholte, City of Saint Cloud, MN; Mike Lashmet, New York Department of Transportation, Albany, NY
Host: Ann Johnson, Professional Engineering Services, Wayzata, MN

Click here for a description of this interactive general session.

Education Sessions

A Fleet for All Seasons: Maximizing Equipment Utilization
Speaker: Jason Walker, Caterpillar, Peoria, IL
With tight budgets, it makes sense to purchase equipment that can be used year-round. This session will be an overview of the key features that are important for snow removal and when and how to use them. On the flip side, you'll learn which construction equipment is best adapted for warm weather operation and how to equip them with the proper implements. The presenter will also discuss different machine features and how to switch tools on a machine—to increase versatility.

Measure Twice, Plow Once (One Pass Clearing)
Speaker: Robert Lannert, Missouri Department of Transportation, Jefferson City, MO
One pass clearing is a plowing practice that uses wider snowplows to clear the entire lane at once. It avoids the need to return for a second pass, which can eliminate a second chemical application. Learn how wider plows can help your agency save time, fuel and materials, while improving services to your areas.

Education Sessions

Beginning Anti-Icing – Where Do I Start?
Speakers: Wilfrid Nixon, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA; Scott Bressler, Butler County Engineers Office, Hamilton, OH
Changing to anti-icing as your winter maintenance strategy can be a bit overwhelming. You have to use liquids, and rely much more on forecasts. If you get it wrong, your neck is in the noose, but everyone is saying you should do it. Come to this session to learn how to minimize the risks in anti-icing, and how to get your anti-icing program started and running effectively.

You Have the Power! Combine Public and Private Forces to Protect Our Rivers and Lakes
Speaker: Connie Fortin and Carolyn Dindorf, Fortin Consulting, Inc., Hamel, MN
Winter maintenance is harmful to rivers and lakes. This session will help you realize the full effect that salt and sand has on our waters, and discover tools and practices we can use to minimize the damage. In 2005-2006, Fortin Consulting, with a team of advisors, developed a class and manual on winter parking lot and sidewalk maintenance for reduced environmental impact. Through follow-up interviews, it was found that after training, salt application rates dropped as much as 65%. This presentation is both motivational and educational, with lots of photos to keep your interest.

Snowfighter Instruction that Hits the S.P.O.T.
Speaker: Larry E. Nelson, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Shoreview, MN
Snow Plow Operator Training (S.P.O.T.) is a comprehensive, two-week training program that focuses on developing skills for new operators. Areas covered include dump truck components, driver responsibilities, preventive maintenance, snow and ice equipment, and truck operation safety. It serves as a cost-effective training option for agencies that have limited resources. S.P.O.T. was implemented as a pilot program in 2004 and since that time, three statewide training programs have been put into operation. Hear about the challenges of developing a program like this and how you can implement a similar program in your area.

Education Sessions

It's Time to Think Outside the (Truck) Box!
Speaker: Neal Jaspers, City of Fort Collins, CO
When the City of Fort Collins, Colorado updated its fleet, it moved from traditional dump trucks to custom-specified vehicles that could be used throughout the year. The new lighter-weight trucks have as much payload as private, dedicated dump trucks and also provide years of heavy duty service with snow duties. You'll learn the calculated weight savings, cost of the lightweight components, payback period for the extra expense, and how to convince city leaders to make such a bold move.

The Shingle Creek Chloride TMDL: A Case Study
Speaker: Joe Bischoff, Wenck Associates, Inc., Maple Plain, MN
The Shingle Creek watershed covers 44.5 square miles in the east-central Minneapolis metropolitan area. It includes 14 lakes and is encompassed by 1,375 lane miles of roads. As a result, significant amounts of road salt are applied to the watershed annually for deicing and snow control. A total maximum daily load (TMDL) study was developed to diagnose the cause and solution to the watershed's high chloride concentrations. Details of this study are being used to develop appropriate BMPs and target areas to reduce the potential impact of chloride in the watershed, while maintaining public safety for winter road conditions. Come hear the latest update on the project.

"Technology Calming": A Novel Approach to Implementation
Speaker: Tom Struve, City of Eagan, MN
The traditional approach to introducing new technology is to accelerate the learning curve. The result: frequently frustrated and resistant end-users. The City of Eagan, Minnesota took the opposite approach by purposely choosing to stay behind the "bleeding cutting edge." Implementation of best practices related to technology and new methodologies in snow and ice control service delivery were introduced gradually. At the same time, operators received the education and training needed to change psychology and behavior. You will leave this session inspired to take the plunge into the 21st century!

Winter Maintenance: The UK Way
Speaker: Mark Dutton, Safecote Limited, Northwich, YT, UK
How does ice and snow control in the United Kingdom compare to what we do over here? This presentation will be a comprehensive overview of winter maintenance topics, including technology, road weather data, chemicals, and more–with plenty of time for audience interaction. Come see what we can learn from our overseas colleagues.

Snow Removal vs. Snow Melting
Speaker: Fred Haughton, City of Barrie, ON
When snow bank heights in downtown Barrie, Ontario, exceed 18” (400 mm), the city initiates a removal process. In an effort to reduce snow storage disposal site volumes and meet service levels, the city turned to a melting device. Hear how melting snow resulted in reduced staff resources and expenses, while improving downtown parking and cleanliness.

Education Sessions

Harnessing Innovation: Creative Solutions to Age-Old Problems
Speaker: Diana Clonch, Ohio Department of Transportation, Columbus, OH
Dwindling resources are only one obstacle to addressing the same issues and problems that continue to plague agencies. How do you encourage innovation? It is important for management to allow employees to "step outside of the box" and display a willingness to adopt new approaches. You'll hear some inspiring examples of how creative thinking has spurred one agency to maximize assets by becoming a liquid brine producer for the state and its plans to move to the next level.

A Tale of Two Cities: Strategies from Minneapolis and St. Paul
Speakers: Bruce Beese, City of St. Paul, MN; Mike Kennedy, City of Minneapolis, MN
While Minneapolis and St. Paul are known as the "Twin Cities," they take a somewhat "fraternal" approach to devising snow removal strategies. This presentation will compare and contrast the somewhat different approaches each municipality takes regarding the technical, legal, political, and public relations elements of emergency snow plowing. You will also learn about emerging technologies that can be used to enhance public outreach and citizen compliance.

A Written Snow and Ice Control Plan that Works for YOU!
Speaker: Duane E. (Dewey) Amsler Sr., AFM Engineering Services, Slingerlands, NY
There are thousands of written snow and ice control plans that could be used as a model, but do any of them really work for your agency? Like it or not, the best policies and procedures are homegrown. Draw on the presenter's extensive experience in crafting snow and ice control plans and defending them in court. Learn how to write an effective written plan and policy, what should be included, and how to make it part of your agency's continuous improvement process.

Defeat the Cost of Frost: A Field Test Update
Speakers: John Evans, Patrick Huston and Tim Sheehy, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Duluth, MN
Mn/DOT is always on the lookout for cost-effective and efficient means of dealing with dangerous frost and icy road and bridge conditions. Over the next three years, Mn/DOT will field test the SafeLane™ overlay system on a problematic stretch of roadway near Duluth that includes bridges and numerous curves. A summary of the first winter performance will be presented, as well as projections regarding anticipated cost-benefits in terms of accident reduction and application frequency of anti-icing chemicals.