https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
    • Latest videos
    • Product Guides
  • Resources & Events
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
    • Latest videos
    • Product Guides
  • Resources/Events
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers/eBooks
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
  • Magazine
acc.com

Commentaries


Commentary

Smarter salt spreading technologies balance  environment concerns and safer roads

Smarter salt spreading technologies balance environment concerns and safer roads

  • Written by Seth Faber
  • 14th August 2019

Our nation’s increasingly harsh winters demand an effective and affordable means of de-icing roadways in order to help us get around safely.  To date, the most viable solution continues to be sodium chloride (road salt).

The problem is that these chemicals make their way into the environment through runoff from rain, melting snow and ice, as well as through splash and spray caused by vehicles and the wind.  In recent years, as much as 22 million tons of salt have been spread on US roads (according to Smithsonian.com). That’s a lot of salt that can find its way into our environment.

Chloride raises the most concerns because it is completely soluble and very mobile.  It is toxic to aquatic life and impacts soil conditions, vegetation, groundwater, surface water, air quality and wildlife.  Chloride is not biodegradable.  Furthermore, there is no natural process by which chlorides are broken down, metabolized, taken up or removed from the environment.

 

Impact on water sources

When chlorides from road salt run off and find their way into lakes, rivers and groundwater sources, they can cause irrevocable harm.

According to an article on smithsonianmag.com, an estimated 40 percent of the country’s urban streams have chloride levels that exceed safe guidelines for aquatic life, largely because of road salt.  In 2014 already, the US Geological Survey (USGS) found that chloride levels were on the rise in 84% of the urban streams studied with 29% exceeding federal safety limits of 230 milligrams per liter for at least part of the year.

Salt-containing water has a higher density than non-salt-containing water and will sink to the bottom of the water body.  According to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Science, this can prevent the dissolved oxygen from reaching the bottom layers and nutrients within the bottom layers from reaching the top layers.  Without adequate oxygen and nutrients, aquatic life dies.

Impact on soil 

Salt runs off roadways creating the greatest concentrations of chloride within 2-3 meters from the road edge, although some studies have shown salt to be found as far out as 10 meters from the road edge.

Long-term accumulation of chloride can influence the chemistry of the soil.  Through ion exchange, the salt stays within the soil and releases other ions such as calcium, magnesium and potassium.  According to the National Research Council, this changes soil permeability and alkalinity, making it difficult for the soil to retain water and contribute to plant growth and erosion control.

The National Research Council additionally warns that roadside vegetation can be negatively impacted by the absorption of chloride through the plant roots or by accumulating on the foliage and branches.  Signs of damage are similar to those brought about by a drought and include stunted growth, brown and falling leaves/needles and dying limbs.  Animals relying on such vegetation for food sources eventually find less to eat and can become ill from salt toxicity.

 

Smarter salt spreading solves environmental challenges while keeping roads safer

The technology exists to significantly reduce salt usage while actually improving the safety of roadways.  European countries with significant snowfall have been proving the feasibility of smart salt spreading technologies for decades.

In the US, the adoption of smart salt spreading processes has been slower.  Many DOTs and municipalities use a pre-wet ratio in which salt and liquid are mixed to improve efficiency and minimize the amount of salt that bounces or otherwise scatters off the road.  The average pre-wet ratio used in the US today is about 95:5 (5% brine).

In Europe, however, they have found that a pre-wet ratio of 70:30 (30% brine) yields superior results.  These results were presented in 2018 at the International Winter Road Congress.  According to the data presented, the super-saturated mixture does a better job of melting ice while using 30% less salt.  That’s less salt to run off the sides of the road and harm soil and water quality, not to mention the obvious cost savings.  In addition, since the pre-wet salt stays on the road better, safer driving conditions are created.

American technology and know-how are well-respected in many industries.  In the area of winter road maintenance, however, there are valuable lessons that can be learned by looking across the ocean to our European counterparts where higher standards for safety and environmental impact are being met year-after-year.

 

Seth Faber is the product manager for Aebi-Schmidt North America.  He was awarded a certificate of excellence in sustainable management and technology by the University of Illinois in 2013.

Tags: Public Works & Utilities Commentaries Commentary

Most Recent


  • metal building
    Metal buildings can be a lifesaver for local governments needing to expand
    In 2023, cities and counties are relying on metal buildings to help them meet their infrastructure needs and requirements, says Harlem, N.Y.-based architect and educator Victor Body-Lawson FAIA, founding principal of Body Lawson Associates Architects & Planners. “Yes, metal building systems are ideal for needs and uses like infrastructure, storage, recreation facilities, industrial warehouses and […]
  • Transportation department to invest $94M into projects promoting innovation, safety
    As transportation technology evolves at a breakneck pace—from self-driving cars to electric vehicles—the infrastructure and innovation that supports it must evolve faster. From the American Rescue Plan Act to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Act, the federal government has proven itself to be a reliable partner for local governments. Most recently, a $94 million grant opportunity […]
  • cybersecurity
    How state and local CIOs can prioritize security, cloud and legacy systems
    NASCIO recently released the annual State CIO Top Ten Policy and Technology Priorities for 2023—and cybersecurity and risk management, legacy modernization and cloud services rank near the top. With rising cybersecurity concerns, a growing emphasis on upgrading legacy systems, and a desire for more flexible, cloud-based technology, CIOs are focused on solutions that efficiently and […]
  • infrastructure procurement
    Taking a higher priority
    When budgets become tight, and unforeseen challenges or emergencies occur, government entities must re-prioritize operational needs, often deferring infrastructure projects and facility maintenance. However, as buildings continue to age, and the backlog of maintenance and upgrade projects becomes longer, infrastructure is taking a higher priority for municipalities, school districts and higher education institutions. Federal funding […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • NLC releases State of Cities 2021 report
  • How local governments can get ahead of the infrastructure wave: Strategies to mitigate risk
  • Prioritizing rapid restore leads to stronger ransomware attack recovery
  • Ultrafast electric vehicle charging will propel local governments into the future

WHITE PAPERS


Digital Government Service Delivery – A Guide for Buyers

23rd February 2023

Modernizing government services for today’s resident expectations

24th January 2023

Preparing Your Community Now for the Next Generation of Older Adults

18th October 2022
view all

Webinars


Future-proof Your State and Local Government Finance: 5 Key Trends for 2023

6th February 2023

How To: Evaluate Digital Government Service Delivery Technologies

23rd January 2023

Using Technology to Enhance Communications

29th November 2022
view all

Podcast


Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

GALLERIES


Gallery: America’s top 10 bicycle-friendly cities

20th March 2023

Gallery: Top 10 hardest working American cities

8th March 2023

Gallery: Top 10 least expensive American metro areas

24th February 2023
view all

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

Report: Renters living at or below the poverty line face a ‘severe shortage of housing’ dlvr.it/SlR6rb

24th March 2023
AmerCityCounty

Report: Technology is encouraging unprecedented collaboration in local government organizations dlvr.it/SlNYqx

23rd March 2023
AmerCityCounty

Metal buildings can be a lifesaver for local governments needing to expand dlvr.it/SlMCV1

23rd March 2023
AmerCityCounty

Transportation department to invest $94M into projects promoting innovation, safety dlvr.it/SlKRf7

22nd March 2023
AmerCityCounty

How state and local CIOs can prioritize security, cloud and legacy systems dlvr.it/SlK7H1

22nd March 2023
AmerCityCounty

Addressing the housing crises requires creativity, collaboration dlvr.it/SlGTFz

21st March 2023
AmerCityCounty

St. Louis Communities Boost Great Energy Savings dlvr.it/SlFyV0

21st March 2023
AmerCityCounty

How Can Public Sector Best Tackle Their Unique Storage Needs? dlvr.it/SlFxXk

21st March 2023

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2023 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.