Clear Roads: Comprehensive Guide to Pre-Wetting Application Rates and Methods

This project aims to develop recommendations for pre-wetting rates and evaluate the difference between applying pre-wet in the chute vs. on the chain flight or in a mix chamber. This is a follow up on the synthesis Clear Roads (CR) 18-04 recently completed by the University that “provided guidance to transportation agencies seeking to make the most effective use of pre-wetting for winter weather application” so as to maximize the benefits of this winter maintenance best practice. The CR 18-04 synthesis examined pre-wetting practices, case studies and relevant research to identify effective and efficient materials, equipment, and procedures for pre-wetting. This effort would address those needs as well as identify specifics including rates and notable results from two different pre-wetting methods. The main objectives of this project include: 1. Provide optimal rates for meeting pre-wetting goals as well as quantify benefit of different rates (10 gpt vs 20 gpt for each goal) in addition to speed and other deliver factors such as spinner/non spinner application methods. 2. Evaluation of at least 2 and up to 4 different delivery systems on basic road salt and a discussion of the pros and cons of each delivery systems in meeting pre-wetting goals. 3. Produce a guidance document based on the “synthesis of current practices, field testing, and a compilation of results, lessons learned, best practices, and specific recommendations on products and practices."

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Clear Roads project 22-01

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $199,975.00
• Contract Numbers:

  1051125

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Clear Roads Pooled Fund

  St. Paul, MN  United States 
• Managing Organizations:

  Minnesota Department of Transportation

  395 John Ireland Boulevard
  St Paul, MN  United States  55155
• Principal Investigators:

  Shi, Xianming

• Start Date: 20230203
• Expected Completion Date: 20250331
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Deicing; Wetting; Winter maintenance
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01872710
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Minnesota Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 1051125
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 7 2023 10:41AM