Guides, Manuals, and Tools
Minnesota Snow and Ice Control: Field Handbook for Snowplow Operators (PDF)
(Minnesota LRRB, MnDOT, and Minnesota LTAP, 2022)
The purpose of this handbook is to help promote the understanding of the tools, best practices, and limitations for snow and ice control.
Smart Salting for Parking Lots & Sidewalks (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 2022)
The purpose of this manual is to deliver practical advice for improving operating efficiency and reducing environmental impacts to those who manage parking lots and sidewalks.
Blowing Snow Control Tools website (contains a drift-free road design tool and a cost/benefit calculator.)
Manual of Best Practices and Techniques for Clearing Intersection Layouts (PDF) (Clear Roads, 2018)
This manual presents best practices and techniques for snow plowing various intersection layouts.
Local Government Snowplow Salt and Sander Controller Calibration Guide (Minnesota Local Road Research Board, 2009)
The purpose of this guide book is to provide easy-to-use steps for calibrating snowplow sander controllers. It is an experience-based guide that captures tips and techniques learned by experienced calibrators.
Research Reports and Projects
- Training Module Development for Evaluation of Storm Severity Index and Winter Severity Index Variables (Clear Roads, July 2024)
- Wintertime Pavement Maintenance Practices (NCHRP, April 2024)
- Adaptive Management to Improve De-Icing Operations (MnDOT, 2021)
- Hot Shots for Cold Climates – Evaluating Treatment of the Hardest Icy Spots (MnDOT, 2020)
- Assessing the Effectiveness of Potassium Acetate to Control Snow and Ice on Minnesota Highways (MnDOT, 2020)
- Alternative Methods for Deicing (Clear Roads, 2020)
- Investigation of Alternative Deicers for Snow and Ice Control (U.S. DOT, 2018)
General Resources
- Minnesota Local Road Research Board
- FHWA Snow and Ice
- Clear Roads Research Program
- 511 MN, for weather information services
- MnDOT Highway Maintenance Snow & Ice Resources
Training and Events
- Minnesota Snowplow and Safety Simulator Training for Local Agencies
- MnDOT Snow Plow Operator Training
- MPCA Smart Salt Training
- APWA North American Snow Conference
- Pacific Northwest Snowfighters Conference
Videos
- Winter Operations Training Series (Iowa DOT, 2020)
- Deicing Study: Putting the Products to the Test
(MnDOT, 2014, 3:00) - Sander operation and calibration videos
(MnDOT, FORCE America, 2014)- How to Operate (22:27)
- Operation Review (1:24)
- How to Calibrate (37:25)
- Software Update (8:51)
More Information
These pre-constructed searches can help you find current resources on this topic.
The Minnesota LTAP librarian can help you find and obtain LTAP and CTS publications and research, as well as transportation-related materials from other libraries and databases. Please email ctslib@umn.edu.