Course Description

This course identifies several components needed for effective planning for and management of snow and ice events by typical local and state agencies. Often deemed most critical to the process, the making (or obtaining) of both long and short term forecasts that are as accurate as possible is necessary for a planning platform on which to build. The factors involved in those predictions by the Iowa Department of Transportation, (DOT) staff will be explained to provide some of the tools that agencies might use to “fine tune” public broadcast information for their particular geographic areas. In addition, a review is included of DOT forecasts (that are currently provided to everyone by specific regions) may be found and how to use them.

Policy and planning decisions made by public agencies affect not only their needed resources to accomplish the goals they set, but also can strongly affect that agency’s finances, especially in times of extreme weather events or seasons. Likewise, an agency’s use of chemicals and abrasives can be looked at from several vantage points; these policies and procedures must be combined with snow and ice fighting techniques to produce a final result which is both environmentally and economically sound and is also socially acceptable. Typical plans of a city, county and the DOT will be reviewed to provide an overview of the many combinations that are available. Obviously, we are not in a static system, neither in terms of our weather patterns nor the equipment we use to battle Mother Nature and keep our roads and streets safe. An update of many new types of equipment will be presented and areas of ongoing research and trials will be reviewed on a national perspective.

This is a paid course and enrollment is through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Registration Services.