Introduction

The Public Works Department Service Division and Fleet Division prepare year-round to handle the blitz of winter weather.

The city has a fleet of more than 20 vehicles that need to be ready to mobilize at the first sign of snow or ice. To prepare for winter, the vehicles and equipment are put through routine maintenance checks during the summer and go through a comprehensive inspection in the fall of each year

• Mission Statement
• Preparing for Winter
• Snow Routes–General
• Winter Storms–General
• Who Performs the Work?
• How Many Shifts do we Operate During Winter?
• What Happens When Winter Weather Hits After Hours and on Weekends?
• When and How do we Monitor the Weather?
• When Do We Plow?
• THE BASICS
• Clearing Snow from Driveways and Sidewalks
• Winter Weather Safety Tips
• Give the Plows a Break!
• When Following a Snow Plow, Please Remember the Following...
  

To provide safe streets through efficient and timely snow and ice control. This is to be accomplished by being properly equipped with the latest advancements in snow fighting equipment, technology and materials, utilizing a well-trained staffed and being well organized and prepared to handle any type of winter storm event.

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PREPARING FOR WINTER

The Public Works Department Service Division and Fleet Division prepare year-round to handle the blitz of winter weather.

The city has a fleet of more than 20 vehicles that need to be ready to mobilize at the first sign of snow or ice. To prepare for winter, the vehicles and equipment are put through routine maintenance checks during the summer and go through a comprehensive inspection in the fall of each year.

Ongoing driver education and training is another essential part of preparing for winter. City employees are trained annually on the proper techniques of handling the vehicles for safe winter driving. This training is performed by professional commercial vehicle driving instructors and Service Division supervisors.

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The City has about 15 snow routes which encompass approximately 350 lane miles. Each route contains about 23 lane miles of streets, which are comprised of varying miles of primary, collector and local streets. In Hudson, most subdivisions are comprised of collector streets, local streets and cul-de-sacs. In some cases, a subdivision may have a primary street, although this is unusual.

The following is a summary of the priority system as it relates to streets throughout the City.

Priority # 1 – Primary Streets

It is the City's intention to do everything possible to ensure that a system of top-priority routes (primary snow routes) remain open and passable at all times. These primary (arterial) streets are considered major thoroughfares. These routes are considered priority because they provide a vital link for our police, fire, and emergency services. Examples of these streets are found below.

Priority # 2 – Collector Streets

Collector streets are streets within residential neighborhoods that residents use to access the primary streets. These streets are cleared once the primary streets are maintained. A partial list of collector streets is found below.

Priority # 3 – Local Streets & Residential Cul-De-Sacs

Local streets and cul-de-sacs make up the remainder of City streets that do not fall into the above categories. These streets are maintained once the collector street snow routes are maintained. In addition to the streets, 230 cul-de-sacs need to be cleared. A partial list of local streets is found below.

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The magnitude of the winter storm dictates the frequency that these routes are plowed and treated with salt. Since each snow storm is different in terms of magnitude and duration, it is very difficult to estimate the exact amount of time that it will take to clear each City street of snow and ice.

For example:

During average (2”- 4”) snow fall events that occur within average (4 hr-10hr) durations, snow plow crews are able complete their primary (priority 1) and secondary (priority 2) and local (priority 3) streets within a reasonable time frame.

*Reasonable* means that motorists may notice that all City streets are receiving snow and ice control maintenance within the same time frame.

During above average (5”- 10”) snow fall events that occur within above average (5 hr-10 hr) durations, snow plow crews work diligently to keep up with the snow storm by focusing their efforts on primary (priority 1) and collector (priority 2) streets. During this type of storm, the local (priority 3) streets will not be maintained until the primary and secondary streets are under control. Residents will notice varying levels of service and maintenance on streets throughout Hudson.

In the most severe storms, City crews will maintain the primary streets with plowing and salting and try to snow plow a travelable path down the center of every street as time permits. Generally speaking, if the snow storm drops snow for 10-12 hours, it will take City crews approximately 10-12 hours after the snow has stopped to clean the entire City.

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WHO PERFORMS THE WORK?

The Service Division of the Department of Public Works performs snow plowing and ice control. The Service Division recieves assistance from other Public Works Divisions for back-up drivers as needed. The Service Division is also assisted by private contractors to clear the turn around area of cul-de-sacs, as well as public parking lots and sidewalks.

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HOW MANY SHIFTS DO WE OPERATE DURING WINTER?

The Service Division operates two shifts per day from mid-December to mid- March. Two shifts provides supervisors and drivers on site between 7 a.m. and midnight for snow and ice control. This is very important because it allows us to meet the ever-changing weather and roadway conditions. When second shift crews are not actively fighting snow, they are maintaining vehicles and patching streets.

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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WINTER WEATHER HITS AFTER HOURS AND ON WEEKENDS?

Service Division supervisors are notified by the Hudson Police Department that snow and ice control is needed. Supervisors then contact crew members to report for duty. It is not unusual for the Service Division snow and ice control crews to work overtime hours on weekends and holidays.

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From early October to April, City staff monitors roadway and weather conditions 24 hours a day, seven days per week, and can respond to winter conditions at any time with a variety of equipment and personnel. Proper and timely response to winter weather conditions is paramount to the safety of the traveling public, the economic viability of the City, and neighborhood livability. The Service Division’s primary source of weather information comes from a commercial satellite weather system called Digital Transmission Network or DTN. This system displays up to date weather information and graphics similar to what is on the local television stations.

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The Service Division considers all winter precipitation events to be emergency in nature. Whether it’s a freezing drizzle situation or a 14" snowstorm, appropriate crews are dispatched in response to the conditions. The response may range from a few salt /chemical application trucks to cover freezing bridge decks, to a full mobilization of all snow removal equipment.

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THE BASICS

Snow and ice control operations in Hudson include the following areas of responsibility:

• 350 lane miles of streets
• 230 cul-de-sacs
• 5 municipal parking lots

The snow fighting fleet consists of:

• 1 tandem-axle dump truck with salt spreader/chemical tanks and plow.
• 17 single - axle dump trucks with salt spreader/chemical tanks and snow plows.
• 4 one-ton dump trucks with salt spreader and snow plow.
• 1 4 x 4 pick up truck with plow.
• 2 backhoe tractors for snow removal.
• 1 front-end loader for loading salt or for snow removal.

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CLEARING SNOW FROM DRIVEWAYS AND SIDEWALKS

Clearing snow from driveways and sidewalks is the responsibility of the resident or business owner. Unfortunately, snow plow operators do not have control over the snow coming off the edge of the snow plow blade. To avoid the frustrating problem of the snow plow covering your driveway with snow after you've just shoveled it, shovel the snow into your yard instead of into the street or shovel the snow to the “down stream” side of your driveway as determined by the travel direction of the truck. Normally, this is to the right side of your driveway apron as you are standing in your driveway facing the street.

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WINTER WEATHER SAFETY TIPS

Below are just a few helpful tips to help you get around safely this the winter.

• Carry the following items in your car at all times in case of emergency: small bag of abrasive material, snow shovel, snowbrush, traction mats, flashlight (fresh batteries), ice scraper, cloth/paper towels, booster cables, blanket, warning devices (flare, triangles).
• Have your car winterized. Have your car’s electric, brake, tire, exhaust, heating, and windshield wipers/washer system checked by a reputable mechanic.
• Never warm up a car in an enclosed area, such as a garage. The engine releases carbon monoxide that can be deadly.
• Keep a safe stopping distance between you and the car in front of you. It takes longer to stop on wet or icy roads.
• Keep your gas tank at least half-full. A full tank prevents a gas line freeze-up.
  Most importantly, please remember to SLOW DOWN!

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GIVE THE PLOWS A BREAK!

Driving a snowplow is one of the toughest jobs around. Drivers must maneuver a 27-ton truck through the City’s streets, dealing with foggy windows, swirling snow, slippery roads and icy intersections. So, please "give’em a brake."

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WHEN FOLLOWING A SNOW PLOW, PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING:

• Snowplows create a swirl of snow that can blind the driver of a car following too closely, or cars approaching from the opposite direction.
• Some of the snow trucks may also be dispensing salt from the back of the truck. This is just one more reason not to follow too closely. Keep back at least 50 feet.
• In winter weather, try not to park your vehicle on the street. This allows the snow plow crews to do a better job of clearing streets and minimizes the risk of damage to vehicles.
• Don’t stop too closely behind a stopped snowplow. The driver may be preparing to back up and may not see you. If you can’t see his side mirrors, he can’t see you.
• Don’t pass a snowplow unless your visibility is perfectly clear and it is completely safe for you, the snowplow driver, and others around. Back to Top