Resource Allocation Study for Snow Removal

Abstract

Each year the Maintenance Division of the Utah Department of Transportation spends more than 20 percent of its annual maintenance budget on snow removal. These funds cover labor, equipment, and material costs. The efficiency with which this money is spent depends on how the available resources are distributed. In the past, these resources have been distributed according to the past experience of the local engineers. Although this experience is invaluable, increasing demands on the maintenance budget make it necessary to reexamine how resources are distributed throughout the state. Widely varying conditions (from desert valleys to mountain summits) make a single standard impractical. This study integrates state-of-the-art geographic information systems technology, weather data, and experiences of local engineers to revise and update the current maintenance snow plan. After the snow plan has been revised, it will be periodically checked against measurements taken throughout the winter season to determine the areas that need more improvement. By using the revised snow plan, the Maintenance Division can maximize the use of its current assets and identify areas where improvements or new resources are needed.