Snow and Ice Control

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.)

MnDOT Living Snow Fences

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

• 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