Snow and Ice Control on Ontario's Highways

This Snow & Ice brochure can be found online at:
www.ontario.ca/winterdriving

For provincial highway condition
information, call:
TRAVELLERS' ROAD INFORMATION
1-800-268-4686
Local GTA: 416-235-4686
Provincial TTY: 1-866-471-8929
Niagara Region TTY: 905-704-2426
This information is also available in the blue pages of your
telephone directory OR on the Internet:
www.ontario.ca/winterdriving

ISBN 0-7794-2217-1 © Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2007

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Snow and Ice Control Standards

Ontario's snow and ice control standards are consistent with the best practices used across North America. Traffic volumes and highway type determine how quickly highways are serviced.

A severe or long storm may delay restoration to normal conditions, even with the best efforts of highway crews.

Plowing begins promptly after the onset of a storm, with priority given to main highway lanes. It may take up to eight hours for plows or sanders to begin servicing ramps and low-volume roads.

Snow and ice control standards indicate a specified time for highways to be restored to normal conditions after a storm has ended. The standard varies depending on traffic volume and road type. For example, the standard is eight hours for high volume highways. Some highways with lower volumes are maintained in snow-packed conditions throughout the winter.

Contracting of Snow & Ice Control Services

The Ministry of Transportation sets the standards used by contractors, but contracts out its snow and ice control services. The ministry monitors operations before, during and after winter storms.. Contractors' operations are closely scrutinized for compliance to standards. Penalties for non-compliance can be severe, including loss of contract.

Adjusting to Winter Conditions

Ontario winters are challenging for motorists. They are equally challenging for Ministry of Transportation staff and contractors responsible for snow and ice control on our provincial highways.

Road user safety is a top priority of the Ministry of Transportation. Every effort is made to promote safe highways and to provide an efficient winter maintenance service for the public.

Weather conditions can be variable and unpredictable, placing extra demands on your vehicle and your driving skills. Take the time to ensure you are well prepared for winter roads and always adjust your driving speed to existing conditions.

Leaving Room for Plows

Remain a safe distance back from maintenance equipment when you see their blue flashing lights.

To do the job right, snowplows and salt and sand trucks must travel slower than regular traffic. Sight lines and visibility near a working snowplow are significantly reduced by blowing snow. Passing can be dangerous.

Plowing

Echelon plowing is the practice of staggered snowplows operating across all lanes of a highway in one direction. It is the safest and most efficient snow removal method for multi-lane highways, though sometimes annoying to drivers. Plowing in echelon clears all lanes at once by passing a ridge of snow from one plow to the next.

Never pass a snowplow! It is extremely dangerous to pass either between or around these snowplows because of whiteout conditions and the ridge of snow being passed between plows.

Stay well back to help snowplows do their job.

At no time should a vehicle pass a snow plow on the right hand side. This could result in a severe, even fatal, collision.

Collisions involving trucks and snow plows have resulted in fatalities .

Passing a snow plow is dangerous because…

• the large blades on snow plows extend a metre or more ahead and to the right of the truck, often extending into the right-hand lane
• snow plows are wider at the front than they appear to be from the rear
• even at reduced plowing speeds, light powdery snow forms a cloud that severely restricts visibility
• the road surface is always better behind the plow than in front of it

When you see the blue flashing lights of a snow plow, remain a safe distance back.

When encountering a plow coming from the opposite direction, move as far away from the centreline of the pavement as you safely can.

DO NOT PASS PLOWS ON THE RIGHT

Melting Snow and Ice

Road salt is one of the most effective snow and ice control materials available. Timely application of salt prevents snow and ice from bonding to the road surface. For this reason, salt is often spread early in a storm to prevent snow buildup and to aid in snow removal operations. In some areas, anti-icing liquids are applied directly to the pavement to prevent frost.

Road salt, assisted by the sun, traffic, and warmer daytime temperatures, is also used as a melting agent to help plows remove ice or packed snow. You may notice that salt is often applied in a narrow strip along the centre or high point of the highway. This provides a salt-water mixture, which flows across the highway, ensuring the most efficient and effective use of the material.

The Ministry of Transportation is investigating ways to control and reduce the use of salt and its impact on the environment, while ensuring highway safety.

Providing Traction

Sand is used to provide traction on slippery surfaces. Unlike salt, it does not melt snow and ice.

Sand is used most often when temperatures are too low for salt to be effective. Sand is also used at higher temperatures if traction is required immediately, particularly on hills, curves, bridges, intersections, and snow-packed roads.

Technological Improvements

The Ministry of Transportation makes continual improvements to snow and ice control operations and safe ways to reduce salt usage. Some technologies currently in use are:

• De-icing liquids added to road salt melt ice and snow faster. “Pre-wetted” salt also tends to stay on the road better and works at lower temperatures than dry salt alone.
  
  
• Road and weather information sensors help staff and contractors make the best and most timely decisions on how to deal with winter conditions.
  
  
• Stationary automated anti-icing systems prevent slippery conditions.
  
  
• Electronic control equipment spreads salt and sand to ensure the correct amount is distributed.
  
  
• Real-time vehicle location systems manage winter snow and ice control.
  
  
• Anti-icing liquid spread on the road prior to winter storms stays in place, melts frost and increases the effectiveness of plowing early in the storm.
  
  
  

Changing Highway Conditions

Throughout the winter, maintenance crews monitor weather and road conditions day and night, seven days a week. The crews report updated highway conditions at least four times daily, as highway closures occur and conditions change. Despite the best efforts of snow and ice control crews, extreme weather may prevent the roads from being cleared quickly.

Highway Closures

Extreme weather may result in the closing of highways. Respect highway closures and do not attempt to drive on these highways until they are re-opened. Always obey emergency road closing signs and barriers and follow the directions of any police officer. It's for your safety. Remember, it is against the law to drive on a closed highway.

Emergency Vehicles

Every day, police, fire, ambulance, and other emergency vehicles respond to urgent calls. Time lost getting to their destination could mean the difference between life and death. Seconds can save a life. Take flashing lights and sirens seriously. Clear the way. Pull to the right and stop. It's the law.

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Hardcopies of publications can be ordered through the following three channels:

Online at ServiceOntario Publications.
www.serviceontario.ca/publications

By phone through the ServiceOntario Contact Centre
Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
416-326-5300
416-325-3408 (TTY)
1-800-668-9938 Toll-free across Canada
1-800-268-7095 TTY Toll-free across Ontario

In person at ServiceOntario Centres located throughout the province.

For alternate formats of publications contact Alternate Format Coordinator at ServiceOntario Publications.
Tel: 416 314-3086 Fax: 416 326-4648.

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Adobe Acrobat PDF version available (251 KB).
To view PDF files, you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader.

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See also:

• Winter Driving - Be Prepared, Be Safe!
• When visibility turns bad ...driving in blowing snow and whiteouts
• Winter Road Condition Reports