Environmental Impact of Highway Deicing


Book Description




Study of Environmental Effects of De-icing Salt on Water Quality in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, Minnesota


Book Description

A study was conducted to generate knowledge on the environmental effects of de-icing salt, particularly sodium chloride (NaCl), on water quality in Minnesota, especially the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area (TCMA). The Mississippi River receives substantial sodium chloride inputs from the Minnesota River and waste water treatment plants as it passes through the TCMA. In addition, road salt applications in the TCMA use about 350,000 short tons of NaCl every year. A chloride budget at the scale of the TCMA and on individual sub-watersheds in the TCMA indicates that about 70% of the road salt applied in the TCMA is not carried away by the Mississippi River. Rates of seasonal road salt use are correlated with snowfall, road miles and population. Salinity in TCMA lakes increases in winter and decreases in summer. Ionic composition of dissolved substances in lakes of the TCMA suggests unnaturally high sodium and chloride concentrations compared to lakes and other water bodies in the Midwestern U.S. Data indicate a rising trend in urban lake water salinity over the last 30 years. Shallow groundwater in the TCMA, especially near major roadways, has started to show increasing chloride concentrations. Salinity trends in lakes and shallow aquifers of the TCMA are of concern.




Chemical Deicers and the Environment


Book Description

Chemical Deicers and the Environment provides a complete discussion of chemical deicer technology and history in the United States and Canada. The book describes engineering applications, maintenance procedures, economic evaluations, in addition to environmental problems and concerns relative to the use of chemical deicing. It also provides a technical appraisal of the latest technology to stimulate further research and discussion directed toward achieving a more integrated approach for the application of new deicers that will protect motor vehicles, highways and infrastructures, and the environment. Chemical Deicers and the Environment will be a useful reference volume for scientists, legislators, transportation engineers, environmentalists, consultants, and concerned individuals interested in learning about the economic and environmental advantages and disadvantages of today's chemical deicers.




Highway Deicing


Book Description

Examines the total cost of salt and calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), including the indirect cost of application and indirect costs to the environment, infrastructure, and motor vehicles. This report focuses on defining the true cost of salt, which is the most popular deicer and the standard of comparison for most other deicing products.




Sustainable Winter Road Operations


Book Description

The first and only comprehensive guide to best practices in winter road operations Winter maintenance operations are essential to ensure the safety, mobility, and productivity of transportation systems, especially in cold-weather climates, and responsible agencies are continually challenged to provide a high level of service in a fiscally and environmentally responsible manner. Sustainable Winter Road Operations bridges the knowledge gaps, providing the first up-to-date, authoritative, single-source overview and guide to best practices in winter road operations that considers the triple bottom line of sustainability. With contributions from experts in the field from around the world, this book takes a holistic approach to the subject. The authors address the many negative impacts on regional economies and the environment of poorly planned and inadequate winter road operations, and they make a strong case for the myriad benefits of environmentally sustainable concepts and practices. Best practice applications of materials, processes, equipment, and associated technologies and how they can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of winter operations, optimize materials usage, and minimize cost, corrosion, and environmental impacts are all covered in depth. Provides the first up-to-date, authoritative and comprehensive overview of best practices in sustainable winter road operations currently in use around the world Covers materials, processes, equipment, and associated technologies for sustainable winter road operations Brings together contributions by an international all-star team of experts with extensive experience in designing, implementing, and managing sustainable winter road operations Designed to bring professionals involved in transportation and highway maintenance and control up to speed with current best practice Sustainable Winter Road Operations is essential reading for maintenance professionals dealing with snow and ice control operations on highways, motorways and local roads. It is a valuable source of information and guidance for decision makers, researchers, and engineers in transportation engineering involved in transportation and highway maintenance. And it is an ideal textbook for advanced-level courses in transportation engineering.




Environmental Impact of Highway Deicing


Book Description

Deicing agents for removal of ice and snow from highways and streets are essential to wintertime road maintenance in most areas of the U.S. Due to the ever-increasing use of highway deicing materials, there has been growing concern as to environmental effects resulting from these practices. The state-of-the-art report critically reviews the available information on methods, equipment and materials used for snow and ice removal; chlorides found in rainfall and municipal sewage during the winter; salt runoff from streets and highways; deicing compounds found in surface streams, public water supplies, groundwater, farm ponds and lakes; special additives incorporated into deicing agents; vehicular corrosion and deterioration of highway structures and pavements; and effects on roadside soils, vegetation and trees. Highway deicing can cause injury and damage across a wide environmental spectrum. Recommendations describe future research, development and demonstration efforts necessary to assess and reduce the adverse impact of highway deicing.







Strategies to Mitigate the Impacts of Chloride Roadway Deicers on the Natural Environment


Book Description

"TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 449 : Strategies to Mitigate the Impacts of Chloride Roadway Deicers on the Natural Environment documents the range of methods, tools, and techniques used by transportation agencies to minimize the environmental impact of chloride-based roadway deicers"--Publisher's description.