If you thought last year’s winter weather was bad, you may want to brace yourself: The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting this winter will be colder than normal with above-average snowfall.
SnowGo Day
But there’s no need to order a sleigh and team of reindeer just yet. Dublin Director of Public Service Megan O’Callaghan says the City’s snow crew will be ready for whatever blustery weather comes our way. Just to be sure, the City of Dublin launched the first-ever SnowGo Day to brush up on winter preparedness skills.
“Dublin residents list our snow-removal services toward the top of what makes living in Dublin exceptional,” O’Callaghan says, and she has no intention of letting them down.
In October, the City conducted a “Snow School” for staff who participate in snow and ice removal. The session included information on safety, procedures, materials, equipment and communications. A “Snow Plow Road-eo” offered a refresher course on maneuverability and a dry run of snow routes followed. The dry run provided the opportunity for drivers to familiarize themselves with routes and served as a reminder of obstacles, including new medians and low-hanging obstructions.
The snow plow drivers are “very capable, very knowledgeable and really taking pride in their work, and the residents appreciate it,” O’Callaghan says. “We strive to maintain the high quality of service that residents are used to and expect.”
Salt, Brine and Beet Juice
In order to do that, O’Callaghan is doubling and tripling efforts to ensure the City has an adequate supply of salt on hand. Typically, the City budgets for 8,000 tons of salt. Last year’s extreme weather events required 13,000 tons.
Salt supplies ran low across the region during the winter of 2013-14, and a shortage is expected again this season. As a result, O’Callaghan is seeking other supply sources. In recent years, salt has been obtained through a contract with the Southwest Ohio Purchasers for Government (SWOP4G) cooperative purchasing program. Dublin requested 2,000 tons this year, but, like other agencies in the program, has been allotted 16 percent of its request or 317 tons. O’Callaghan also sought another contract through the Ohio Department of Transportation for 4,400 tons. Combined with 2,500 tons already in the City’s salt barn from last year, the total is about 7,000.
“The reason we’re changing our strategy is due to the salt shortage that is out there,” she says.
In addition, Dublin will employ other treatments for roadways, including liquids such as brine, calcium chloride and Beet Heat, which decrease the amount of salt needed because they are used to pretreat the roads as well as pre-wet salt that is applied to the road.
Liquids can delay snow from sticking and delay ice from forming, “which buys us time,” O’Callaghan says, and the liquids also help the salt adhere better to the pavement and lower the salt’s effective working temperature in colder conditions.
SnowGo Digital Information Tool
A new and responsive use of technology is another strategy to improve service to residents. GPS units were installed on plows and salt spreaders to track resources, measure performance and monitor progress. During a snow event, managers will be able to view progress on a City-wide map to determine which streets have been serviced and to see if any have been missed.
“This tool will help us manage our resources,” O’Callaghan says.
It’s also a new information tool for residents. SnowGo will allow residents to go to the City’s website to see where their street falls on a prioritized list. Streets will be color-coded and change color as they are serviced. Timely messages, such as weather advisories, road conditions and City closures will be included. During an extremely heavy snow incident, the City website will indicate whether primary streets will need to be cleared again before the plows move to secondary roadways.
Since the City of Dublin website was created using a responsive design, residents will be able to view SnowGo from any location using a mobile device and may use their location to determine the condition and status of their roadway.
“It’s a really cool customer service,” O’Callaghan says. “Residents will have access to more snow and ice information than ever before. We provide excellent service now, but I always think there is room for improvement and that’s what we’re trying to achieve.”
Snow Removal Policy
The City has a curb-to-curb snow removal policy whereby all streets within City limits will be plowed and salted as conditions warrant. To ensure that major thoroughfares remain open to traffic, a prioritization program has been established. Private streets are not treated.
- Primary streets: Major arteries or streets with dangerous hills or curves are plowed first. These streets will continue to receive treatment as long as weather conditions continue. Blowing snow and freezing roads once snow has thawed can require continued treatment.
- Secondary streets: Main roads through subdivisions and streets connecting two or more primary streets are plowed and salted once primary streets have received treatment
- All other streets, courts, cul-de-sacs and alleys: These streets will be serviced once primary and secondary streets are cleared.
How you can help
Residents can assist the snow-plowing process in several ways:
- Do not shovel snow into City streets or allow private contractors hired to plow driveways to do so
- Do not shovel or plow snow into driveway aprons
- Do not shovel or plow snow around fire hydrants or mailboxes
- Stay as far away from snow plows as possible
- Keep children away from snow plows
- Remove parked cars from the street
- Do not attempt to pass a snow plow
Residents are required to keep their sidewalks, curbs and gutters in repair and free of snow, ice, debris and obstructions. Depositing snow or ice on any public sidewalk, street, bike path, road or highway is not permitted.
Snow Emergency Levels
In accordance with Ohio law, the City of Dublin recognizes the following Franklin County Snow Emergency classifications:
- Level 1: Conditions are hazardous, motorists should drive carefully.
- Level 2: People should drive only when necessary.
- Level 3: Roads are closed to non-emergency travel. Police may arrest people who are on the road unnecessarily.
During a snow emergency, Dublin Streets & Utilities’ offices are open and can be reached by calling 614-410-4750.