Public works officials beat the heat to learn about snow removal

With few clouds in the sky and the bright, late-September sun beaming, 140 men and women escaped one of the sweltering final days of this Michigan summer by gathering in a vehicle bay-turned classroom to discuss…snow removal.

Yes, on a 90 degree day in late September, SEMCOG conducted its annual Winter Maintenance Workshop and Equipment Expo at the Wheeler Service Center in Ann Arbor. Operators from across the SEMCOG region gathered to discuss preparation for the upcoming winter season as well as share best practices and new solutions to address the challenges of winter weather. While the on-screen presentations created a sharp contrast to the uncommonly warm weather outside, the crucial information discussed will help communities clear roadways and sidewalks more effectively and keep people moving safely on Southeast Michigan roads.

After an introduction by Tom Bruff, SEMCOG Plan and Policy Development Manager, Howard Lazarus, City Administrator for Ann Arbor, addressed the importance of maintaining roads and sidewalks during winter. Combing his vast experience in public works departments across the country, Mr. Lazarus, to some surprise, informed the large crowd that for most municipalities, maintenance and capital improvements are the largest budget expenditure and, therefore, exceedingly important to an area’s functionality. So, gathering regional agencies to discuss best practices, calibration techniques, and demonstrate new equipment is an important exercise to ensure that mobility and safety are maximized during harsh Michigan winters.

Howard Lazarus, City Administrator, City of Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor Public Works Manager, Molly Maciejewski outlined the city’s winter maintenance program. The City of Ann Arbor uses a fleet of more than 50 vehicles to treat roads during winter weather. Several major and locals routes have been pre-determined, and the city’s goals are to maintain passable roadways that are free from drifts, snow ridges, and as much ice and pack snow as possible. Due to the high number of pedestrian and cyclists, even during the winter months, the city has also determined essential bike routes, walking paths, and bus routes to maintain nonmotorized mobility.

Molly Maciejewski, Public Works Manager, City of Ann Arbor

Rob Doletzky, Grounds Services Manager for Facilities and Operations at the University of Michigan, also emphasized the need to maintain walking paths for pedestrians during winter weather. The university’s goals are to keep the campus open to vehicle traffic during any storm event, as well as cleaning pedestrian routes of snow and, most importantly, keeping the hospital’s emergency room and ambulance entrances clear. Unlike the City of Ann Arbor, which mainly uses salt solids to treat its sidewalks and parking lots, the University of Michigan has increasingly used liquid treatments. The ease of application without an increase in costs has allowed the university to improve safety and the useful life of its infrastructure while also seeing the benefits of being more environmental friendly.

Echoing this same sentiment, Chris Frey, Parks Supervisor with West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation, detailed his department’s increased use of brine and other liquid mixes as part of its winter program. With little room in the budget for capital expenditures, West Bloomfield began using salt brines on sidewalks and parking lots by retrofitting a summer watering truck. Over the years, West Bloomfield, aided by an in-house master fabricator, has been able to adapt existing equipment for use in winter maintenance. As their program has grown more sophisticated – they now mix, deliver, and store their own supply of salt brine – it has resulted in decreased reliance on salt while providing clearer walkways and parking lots. The decreased reliance on salt has also coincided with decreased costs for the department. However, each speaker including Mr. Frey, stressed that liquids is just a single tool in the toolbox to aid in winter maintenance.

Throughout his presentation Chris Frey underscored the importance of working with neighboring communities. West Bloomfield Parks’ decision to increase liquid usage was greatly aided by the City of Farmington Hills. Next, Bryan Pickworth, Road Maintenance Supervisor for the City of Farmington Hills, continued to stress the importance of collaboration and coordination and encouraged participants to join the Southeast Michigan Winter Maintenance Team. This team, made up of representatives from Southeast Michigan communities, gathers periodically to discuss techniques and best practices to ensure the greatest level of service possible. During these meetings, participants share practices that work, as well as those that don’t, how to establish goals, collect data, and view research. Other benefits seen by those who participate on the team include the loaning of equipment for testing, education and training, and group purchasing of goods (e.g., equipment, materials) resulting in a decrease in costs.

The final workshop speaker was Jim Harmon, Director of Operations for Washtenaw County. With around 4,000 lane miles, Washtenaw County has developed a priority system for clearing roadways during a winter weather event. Paved roads and highways receive the highest priorities followed by subdivision and unpaved roadways. Using their large fleet of vehicles and equipment, and working out of five strategically located maintenance yards, Washtenaw County is prepared for the average 50 to 75 days of winter maintenance each year. Showing historical photos of early snow plows, Mr. Harmon explained that winter maintenance has been very important for a long time, and Washtenaw County aims to remain at the forefront by collaborating with many agencies, coordinating responses, and using the latest equipment and products. Keeping the community engaged and knowledgeable is also very important to keeping roads clear and people safely moving.

Jim Harmon, Director of Operations, Washtenaw County

Now that the season has changed and temperatures will soon drop, just know that when those first snowflakes begin to fall, operators will have already been hard at work ensuring equipment is calibrated, materials are prepped, and staff is trained and ready to ensure Southeast Michigan roads are clear and safe.