Let it Snow! GPS Tracking Makes for Superior Snow Removal
31 Jan 2012
More and more communities around the U.S. are testing out a high-tech method of snow removal. Through real-time GPS tracking, cities can better manage their response to the white stuff, and residents can get a birds-eye view of the location of snow plow trucks and snow removal progress. Buffalo, Salt Lake City, Spokane, and Chicago are just a few of the cities that are experimenting with Global Positioning Systems tracking for a more efficient snow removal experience for workers, administrators, and residents.
In the past, after a big snow, city and suburb-dwellers were left wondering when, and sometimes if, snow plow trucks would get around to plowing their street. While most municipals remove snow with the utmost of due diligence, sometimes streets have been unknowingly missed. The result: calls and complaints from residents wanting to get to work or carry out errands without driving in inches upon inches of snow.
That is until GPS tracking for snow removal came into the picture.
Snow plows and salt trucks are now being equipped in increasing numbers with GPS trackers. These trackers tell the respective public works departments how much snow has been removed, which streets have already been plowed and salted, and most importantly, which haven’t.
The software gives real-time data of the location of each snow-plow truck as they are attacking a storm, helping to navigate where the truck’s been and where it should go. The system’s goal is to help identify overlapped, missed, and redundant snow removal routes.
Because the software makes historical information available, snow removal administrators can review past performance on snow removal and adjust their responses for the next big storm. Since snow removal is one of the most labor-intensive chores for many municipalities, having a high-tech device in the toolbox is a welcome addition, especially when a massive Alberta Clipper comes rolling through.
Residents in some cities can get involved too. For instance, as part of the ChicagoShovels.org website, residents can watch the city’s snow-plow team’s progress live, first clearing major streets and then moving to side streets.
Most municipalities see the use of GPS tracking as a way to improve their snow removal service, keep pace with mother nature, and maintain peace with residents.
