Evaluating Automated Anti-Icing Technology to Reduce Traffic Collisions

Evaluating Automated Anti-Icing Technology to Reduce Traffic Collisions Reducing fatalities, injuries, and property damage related to traffic collisions is a priority for road safety agencies. Traffic collisions result in more than 2,200 fatalities and 173,000 injuries each year on Canadian roads. Inclement weather is a contributing factor in traffic crashes for approximately 21 percent of the injuries and 25 percent of property damage [1]. Costs related to traffic collision damage are relatively high especially if fatalities occur, and the closure of lanes and the resultant traffic delays substantially add to these costs. Efficient tools are available to road agencies to reduce traffic collisions related to inclement weather. This paper explores the relationship between road collisions and surface conditions and illustrates the successful implementation of automated anti-icing technology to reduce vehicle collisions due to weather and surface factors. Fixed Automated Spray Technology (FAST) deployments in Ontario, Utah, and Pennsylvania are specifically examined in this paper. Road surface condition sensors, automatic notification alerts, and automated anti-icing spray systems are also examined in this paper. Automated anti-icing systems minimize the amount of chemical needed for de-icing by spraying the road in advance of icing and only when required. These technologies help maintenance managers to reduce traffic collisions and fatalities and make more timely and efficient decisions.