A synthesis from the Clear Roads research consortium provides a snapshot in time of the material spreader systems used by 16 member agencies. The synthesis includes assessments of the systems’ operational capacities and effectiveness in a range of weather conditions.
Material spreader systems are among the largest equipment expenses for winter road maintenance departments, and DOTs often make their spreader system purchase decisions after much research, comparison, and discussion.
The majority of survey respondents in this project were satisfied with individual features and functions and reported overall satisfaction with their chosen system. While price was a significant motivating factor in system selection for some agencies, other agencies sought specific features, and one agency developed special specifications for the manufacturer to meet a designated price.
Learn more:
- Inventory and Use of Material Spreader Systems (Clear Roads, Jan. 2021)
