Everyone Loves a Little Salt

Everyone loves using salt; from our food to our streets we love over salting everything. Although alternatives to salt are available (will be reviewed on another blog), some communities will and have found problems to outright switching from salt- mostly because the higher cost of alternatives. However, there is still hope: Road Salt Management Plans. Although completely stopping salt dumping on roads is preferred, there are some other options communities can opt for:

• Targeted Goal Reduction of Salt Usage with Timeline to meet

• Cost benefit analysis to more drastic measures to salt on roads (will visit in a later post)

• Review annually new technology and alternatives

These 'solutions' are the first steps that communities have to accomplish to correct this environmental hazard we are causing. Targeted Goal Reduction can be simple as just improving the application efficiency of road salt. Some ways to do this are:

1. Road Weather Information Systems

A huge problem with using salt on road is often times road conditions are not suited for deicing by salt. A Road Weather Information System can inform operators when they can use salt so they do not waste salt for no reason.

2. Calibrate Equipment

An accurate measurement of salt output needs to be recorded so reduction goals can be accomplished.

3. Avoid Overfilling

Drivers tend to use what they load, leading to be more than what is needed.

4. Truck Temperature Sensors

Knowing pavement conditions will allow the drivers to accurately access what the roads need. Air temperatures are rising: maybe only plowing and sand will suffice.

5. Truck Salt Application Regulators

Regulators reduce the total salt used however, can be an expensive step. However, often regulators pay for themselves after a few years.

6. Pre-Wet Salt

A Canadian study found that pre-wetting salt before application increases its 'stickness' to the road, minimizing spray in surrounding areas.

7. Anti-Ice

Brine solution can be used on pre-storm roads, reducing the amount of salt needed once the storm hits.

8. Reduce Salt Content of Road Sand

Often salt will be combined with sand so it does not freeze. The amount of salt used in the sand can be reduced by keeping the sand pile dry.

9. Vulnerable Area Deicers

Identifying vulnerable areas- roads near water supplies, wetlands, reservoirs, water bodies, bridges- and targeting those areas with more expensive salt alternatives.

10. Training

Although communities can educate about salt usage, it comes down to who is actually putting the salt on the roads. Drivers must educate themselves so they know when and where to use salt and how much to use.