"This synthesis report will be of interest to transportation agency maintenance engineers, managers, and operators and others involved with roadway snow and ice control including safety engineers, traffic engineers, and law enforcement agency personnel. It presents information on the state of the practice in managing roadway snow and ice control considering both rural and urban locations. The document describes the developments that have occurred during the past 20 years to improve winter maintenance. This report of the Transportation Research Board discusses winter maintenance policies and provides examples for state, city, and county agencies. Included in the discussion of winter maintenance policies are issues such as: levels of service, public relations, liability for services, and experimenting with new policies. Additional information is included on estimating winter maintenance benefits and costs; personnel and management issues; weather information systems; and materials, equipment, and facilities for winter maintenance."--Avant-propos.

Surveys of highway connected agencies and an extensive literature search of maintenance research in the U.S., Great Britain, and Europe were conducted to compile a review of existing nonchemical methods of snow removal and ice control of concrete surfaces. Details of permanent installations, the water pipe and electrical heating element customarily installed in concrete slabs, are given. Potential applications of electrical and gas-fired infrared heaters are discussed. other methods investigated included covered bridges, electrically conductive road surfaces, snow melting pits, and bridge deck insulation.

Technology of snow and ice control has changed considerably in the last decade, with the development of many cost saving techniques, equipment, and materials. Environmental concerns have forced a rethinking of old techniques and this book provides a detailed source of information on the subject.