Minnesota Snow and Ice Control: Handbook for Snowplow Operators

The purpose of this handbook is to help promote the understanding of the tools, best practices, and limitations for snow and ice control. The handbook will also help users understand when to use - and when not to use - these tools and practices. In addition, it encourages progressive changes in snow and ice control practices that will help operators reduce salt/sand use and environmental impacts while meeting the safety and mobility needs of roadway users. Practices such as anti-icing, prewetting, and pretreating are emphasized in this handbook. Various research projects and reports are cited to support recommended practices. Also included are standard best practices expected in a quality snow and ice control program. (The first version of this handbook, published in 2005, was written by Connie Fortin and Carolyn Dindorf of Fortin Consulting, Inc. Updates for interim revisions, along with material for this new version, were written by Kathleen Schaefer of MnDOT.)