Winter Operations OverviewMaryland Transportation Commission

January 7, 2015

Russ Yurek, DirectorOffice of Maintenance

ryurek@sha.state.md.us (410) 582-5505

Average Annual Snowfall2009-2014

99" – 190"

53" – 58"

28" – 48"

17" – 29"

• Centerline Miles: 5,155• Lane Miles: 17,065

• Interstate: 4,370 (26%)• Primary: 3,219 (20%)• Secondary: 9,476 (54%)

Resources

SHA Maintenance Staff• 657 Equipment Operators• 146 Route Supervisors• 114 Mechanics• 85 Administrative• 79 Managers

SHA Equipment• 624 Dump Trucks• 86 Loaders• 26 Extreme Equipment• 718 SHA Equipment

Contract Equipment• 1,682 Dump Trucks• 187 Loaders• 1,869 Contract

Equipment

Quad Axle Truck

Dual-Wing Plow Truck

Tow Plow Truck

Resources

Materials• 94 Salt Structures• 360,000 Tons of Salt

Year-Round PreparationsSpring• Season End Review• Assess Equipment• Repair/Re-stock Salt

StructuresFall• Perform Equipment

Inspection• Prepare Snow Book• Perform Winter Exercise

Summer• Initiate Equipment

Repairs• Advertise Hired

Equipment Contracts• Snow College

Target: November 1st

Entire SHA and Contract Fleet Ready for Operations!

Pre-Event PreparationsOOM Reviews WeatherDistricts/Shops and EOC Prepare “Game Plan” for the EventState Trucks are Prepared for OperationsContract Trucks are Notified

Emergency Operations Plan

Mobilization and Operations

Districts/Shops and EOC Activate at Pre-Determined TimeShops Initiate Salting OperationsContinuous Operations for the Duration of EventSnow Emergency Declarations

Data CollectionEmergency Operations Reporting System (EORS) – Statewide Summary

Data Collection

OOM/EOC Central Data Collection

Data CollectionRoadway Weather Information System (RWIS)

Emergency ManagementStatewide Operations Center (SOC)Emergency Operations Center (EOC)Functions as the liaison with MEMA & FHWAMEMA ActivationMDOT OPS

Financial

FY15 Winter Budget Allocated: $51 Million10 Year Average Winter Expenditures: $65 MillionEORS EstimatesFinancial Drivers • Hired Truck Call-Outs• Ice Storms

Emergency Management

State Office ClosuresEmergency WaiversEmployee ReleaseGovernment Service Impacts

Risk Factors

SHA Ratio of Equipment Operators to Heavy Equipment28% State / 72% Contractual WorkforceTiming of Winter EventAccuracy of Weather ForecastBlowing/Drifting SnowInterruption of Salt Delivery

Impacts to Environment

Level of ServiceSalt usage• Underground aquifers• Streams• Chesapeake Bay

Optimize salt usageBalance environment & safety