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In 2015 and 2016; MnDOT equipped thirty mowers in the Metro District with Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) systems. The pilot project relied heavily on the work MnDOT has done with AVLs in snow plows and utilized some of the same hardware and software. The project included five tasks of developing software interface; developing data exchange; purchasing and installing the AVL systems; developing a reporting system from collected data; and providing training. This pilot project is a start to gaining a sense of the benefits of AVL in mowing operations and what it takes to plan; budget; and implement these systems. With additional quantitative data; the project will generate a return on investment; highlight safety improvements; and enhance future mowing operations. The following report documents the process of completing the five tasks; what end user products came out of the implementation; lessons learned and challenges; and what future developments are expected as MnDOT continues to move forward with the AVL in Mowers program

This project gathered information about available Global Positioning Systems/Automatic Vehicle Location (GPS/AVL) equipment and vendors to gain an understanding of their use by state and local agencies for winter maintenance activities. Depending on the complexity desired, many tools and equipment can comprise these systems, including truck controllers, data collection devices, communication devices, plow sensors, and software. This equipment allows agencies to better manage and analyze their winter maintenance operations. There are also numerous choices agencies have in what GPS/AVL solutions to employ, as well as how to effectively use them. The project included four main tasks: conducting a national search of available literature about winter maintenance GPS/AVL solutions, equipment, and technology, developing a survey for state and local agencies to collect data on their experiences with GPS/AVL systems, developing an equipment guide about GPS/AVL equipment based on the literature search and survey results, and developing a synthesis of policies focused on issues and considerations relating to the implementation of GPS/AVL technology for winter maintenance. The following report documents the process of completing the four tasks and the findings on GPS/AVL equipment and vendors.

Please note this manual also appears as Appendix B within report 2017-11, An Innovative Approach to Smarter Mowing, Utilizing Automated Vehicle Location to Enhance Mowing Operations.