Level of Service Standards

General

Snow and ice control operations are limited by the resources available for winter maintenance operations (specifically: budget, personnel, equipment and materials). Due to these limited resources, the level of service for snow and ice control is associated with the corridor priorities that have been established by the Bureau of Maintenance and Operations. For each level of service, target route lengths will dictate the normal cycle times that can be expected based upon average conditions and local geographic and/or geometric factors will dictate whether particular routes need to be longer or shorter than average. In addition, during a winter storm event, there will typically be reduced levels of service for all routes between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 4:00 A. M., depending upon specific storm conditions.

Priority I Corridors

Priority I corridors consist of the interstate system and other specifically designated state highway corridors that serve as critical connectors between the state’s larger urban areas. This priority level will include most of the National Highway System (NHS) and other arterial corridors that carry the majority of the state’s traffic.

Snow will be plowed and salt (in addition to other chemicals as conditions require) will normally be used as needed during the storm to maintain a brine layer on the pavement surface to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the road. Following a winter event, bare travel lanes shall be provided as soon as practicable and on these roads before all others. In most cases, this will occur within six (6) daylight hours. The suggested maximum travel speed during the storm for the Interstate system is 45 MPH The suggested maximum travel speed during the storm for all other Priority I roads is 40 MPH During a winter storm event, average cycle times for the plows will be between 1 to 1½ hours. Between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 4:00 A. M., these cycle times may double, depending upon the type of storm. The average plow route length for this class of road is approximately 10 centerline miles.

Priority II Corridors

Priority II corridors are comprised of those state highway corridors that are a part of the NHS or the remaining arterial system, but are not classified as Priority I corridors. This priority level will also include those state highway or state-aid corridors that serve as the critical connectors, commerce routes, or higher-volume commuter routes.

Snow will be plowed and salt (in addition to other chemicals as conditions require) will normally be used as needed during the storm to maintain a brine layer on the pavement surface to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the road. Following a winter event, bare travel lanes shall be provided as soon as practicable and on these roads after the Priority I roads. In most cases, this will occur within eight (8) daylight hours. The suggested maximum travel speed during the storm for Priority II roads is 35 to 40 MPH During a winter storm event, average cycle times for the plows will be between 1½ to 2 hours. Between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 4:00 A. M., average cycle times for the plows may double, depending upon the type of storm. The average plow route length for this class of road is approximately 12 centerline miles.

Priority III Corridors

Priority III corridors include all other state highways not listed as Priority I or Priority II roads and are generally characterized by the lower-volume state highways. This priority level is dominated by those corridors classified as minor or major collectors.

Snow will be plowed and salt will be used as needed during the storm to keep the roads open to traffic and provide a good surface on which to operate. After the storm, one-third bare pavement, in the middle of the road, will be provided as soon as practical. Bare travel lanes shall be provided as soon as practicable on these roads and after the Priority I and Priority II roads. In most cases, this will occur within twenty-four (24) hours. The suggested maximum travel speed during the storm for Priority III roads is 35 MPH During a winter storm event, average cycle times for the plows will be between 1½ to 2 hours. Between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 4:00 A. M., average cycle times for the plows may double or triple, depending upon the type of storm. The average plow route length for this class of road is approximately 14 centerline miles.

This page last updated on 1/11/11

snow & ice control

Level of Service Standards

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