The efficiency of mechanized snow-removal / anti-freeze chemical spreading and the snowfall / freezing prediction system Ohira, Norio ; Ohbayashi, Kouji ; Higuchi, Norio
Language: English Language: French Series: ; topic II-60Publication details: XIth international winter road congress 2002, Sapporo [Japan] / XIe congres international de la viabilite hivernal 2002, Sapporo [Japon]. Paper, 2002Description: 6 sSubject(s): Bibl.nr: VTI 2002.0071Location: Abstract: Since fiscal 1991, a system for predicting snowfall and freezing has been introduced into the part of Japan covered by the Takada Works Office. The freezing prediction system is thought to have reduced the cost of unnecessary anti-freeze chemical spreading, through annual improvements and the increased accuracy of road temperature predictions, as well as chronological prediction. To ascertain the extent to which the freezing prediction system has reduced the costs of anti-freeze chemical spreading, we compared the operational record for fiscal 1992 (before the system was introduced) with that in fiscal 2000 (after introduction). In particular, we collected and compared data on the ratio of unnecessary chemical spreading (the ratio of times when the road temperature remained above 0 degree centigrade after chemicals had been spread to preventing freezing). The ratio of unnecessary anti-freeze chemical spreading in the Joetsu / Fujisawa works section was 13 per cent before the freezing prediction system was introduced. After introduction, however, this had been substantially reduced to 1 per cent, proving the effectiveness of the freezing prediction system. The freezing prediction system has reduced the frequency of unnecessary anti-freeze chemical spreading. The associated reduction in cost within the snow removal area controlled by the Takada Works Office is estimated at about 2.1 million yen per year. Assuming that freezing predictions are supplied to neighbouring road maintenance authorities and anti-freeze chemical spreading is carried out at the same level on major provincial roads, the cost reduction effect, including the amount calculated above for national highways under direct control (2.1 million yen), is estimated at about 9.8 million yen per year.Current library | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode | |
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Statens väg- och transportforskningsinstitut | Available |
Since fiscal 1991, a system for predicting snowfall and freezing has been introduced into the part of Japan covered by the Takada Works Office. The freezing prediction system is thought to have reduced the cost of unnecessary anti-freeze chemical spreading, through annual improvements and the increased accuracy of road temperature predictions, as well as chronological prediction. To ascertain the extent to which the freezing prediction system has reduced the costs of anti-freeze chemical spreading, we compared the operational record for fiscal 1992 (before the system was introduced) with that in fiscal 2000 (after introduction). In particular, we collected and compared data on the ratio of unnecessary chemical spreading (the ratio of times when the road temperature remained above 0 degree centigrade after chemicals had been spread to preventing freezing). The ratio of unnecessary anti-freeze chemical spreading in the Joetsu / Fujisawa works section was 13 per cent before the freezing prediction system was introduced. After introduction, however, this had been substantially reduced to 1 per cent, proving the effectiveness of the freezing prediction system. The freezing prediction system has reduced the frequency of unnecessary anti-freeze chemical spreading. The associated reduction in cost within the snow removal area controlled by the Takada Works Office is estimated at about 2.1 million yen per year. Assuming that freezing predictions are supplied to neighbouring road maintenance authorities and anti-freeze chemical spreading is carried out at the same level on major provincial roads, the cost reduction effect, including the amount calculated above for national highways under direct control (2.1 million yen), is estimated at about 9.8 million yen per year.