Snow removal

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Snow removal
CDOT Region 6
By Robert Haines and Tammy Barajas
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CDOT Region 6 covers the Denver Metro Area with
a Population of 1,610,000 people
Region 6 has roads with an Average Daily Travel
(ADT) as high as 258,000
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Region 6 averages 22 snow events a season.
As well as an average of 58 inches of snow a
year.
R-6 plows 3900 lane miles of highway
Last year Region 6 plowed over 800,000 lane
miles.
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Region 6 has 213 full time snow removal staff
We hire no seasonal help for snow
There are 32 people in support staff. This
includes mechanics, welders, office staff and
general laborers.
There are an additional 15 people on snow teams
from traffic and engineering to assist with road
closures and transporting staff.
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Region 6 maintains the following fleet
119 plow trucks this includes tandems with wings
and single axle trucks.
3 motor graders with front plows and wings.
18 front end loaders.
3 tractor trailers with liquid dispensing abilitie
s.
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Region 6 utilizes the following products in its
snow fighting arsenal
Magnesium Chloride (includes APEX)
Cold Temperature modified Magnesium Chloride.
Ice Slicer
30 sand salt mixture (used in 4 locations due to
PM 10 requirements)
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Communications on a light snow event less than 2
inches of snow is handled by the Colorado State
Patrol dispatchers directly to the area
supervisors.
On snow events that are greater than 2 inches
R-6 operates a snow desk and all calls are
directed through this center and are logged and
then are directly sent out to the area
supervisors or trucks.
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Service calls are received through the dispatch
centers, CSP and R-6, phone calls, radio reports
etc. These are then sent out to the area
supervisors and trucks via radio (800 mega
hertz).
Once the calls are received in the field the
crews establish their priority based severity
of the event, and the current job they are
performing (pulling walls, etc.)
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After hour service calls are handled by the
Colorado State Patrol dispatch center in
Golden, Colorado.
These dispatchers have all the emergency contact
numbers for Region 6 and call the appropriate
supervisor to get assistance on an issue.
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Region 6 utilizes a standard snow removal plan
that includes
Snow shift expectations and equipment check
lists.
Each of the area plans as well as the
patrol plans.
CDOT standard operating guide for snow removal.
Safety guides, policies and procedures.
Regional map showing the different patrols.
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All R-6 employees must attend a 40 hour snow
training class.
This class consists of an 8 hour class room
training that covers all aspects of plowing.
The employee then must ride with the TM-III or
TM-II for 16 hours in a plow truck and learn the
equipment, products and the roadway.
The employee then operates the plow, with the
lead worker or TM-III for 16 hours and must
demonstrate what they have learned.