Maintenance Standards Snow and Ice Committee Report on Snow and Ice Formula

Mn/DOT's Snow and Ice Formula was initially developed in the early 1970's in recognition of a need to standardize snow and ice operations and to control rising maintenance cost. Snow and Ice operations is the most important job confronting maintenance personnel during the winter season and it is a major budget item. The significance of the formula is that it is used to establish complement needs for the 15 Maintenance Areas. Because there have been numerous changes in personnel and equipment since 1970, the Snow and Ice Committee was requested to review the adequacy of the formula and update if needed.

The first objective of the study was to establish whether or not Mn/DOT was providing the public with the proper level of snow and ice service. As a result of a public survey and the Commissioner's Staff review, a policy guideline was set for the level of service of snow and ice removal which was to stay at the current level or slightly below.

The second objective then was directed at studying the current formula factors and considering new ones which would result in maintaining the policy guideline. Factors studied included, AADT Classification Ranges, Truck Speed, Cycle Times, Coverage Time, Workers per Truck, Spare Trucks, Interchanges, Absenteeism, and Functional Classifications.

A new formula was developed and implemented. A section on future needs is also included