Training for Winter Maintenance Supervisors and Operators.

Johnson, Ann M.; Grothaus, Jim · 2017 · ROSA P / Minnesota. Dept. of Transportation. Research Services & Library

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Summary

This report details the development of a standardized training program for winter maintenance supervisors and operators, conducted by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Transportation Studies under the Clear Roads Pooled Fund program. The project was motivated by the observation that while every state maintains some form of training for snowplow operators, existing programs possess inconsistent strengths and weaknesses. The objective was to create a flexible, comprehensive set of training modules that member agencies could adopt, modify, or update as needed to ensure consistent and effective winter maintenance practices across jurisdictions. The research team, led by Principal Investigator Jim Grothaus, collaborated with a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) comprising representatives from 28 state Departments of Transportation. The development process involved identifying and prioritizing content, followed by the creation of PowerPoint presentations, instructor guides, and assessment materials. The TAC reviewed and refined the content through iterative feedback loops. The final output consists of 22 priority modules covering critical aspects of snow and ice control. These topics include plowing procedures, truck operations, spreader calibration, material use, pre-wetting, brine production, deicing, anti-icing, safety, level of service, ice formation science, environmental impacts, drift control, weather basics, bridge frost, and avalanche management. Each module is accompanied by a teaching guide outlining delivery methods, discussion recommendations, and additional resources, as well as pre- and post-tests to evaluate participant comprehension. To validate the training materials, the researchers conducted trial deliveries of the first four modules at the Minnesota Fall Maintenance Expo. Hundreds of maintenance workers attended these 45-minute sessions. Evaluation data indicated high satisfaction and efficacy; participants rated the sessions between 4.32 and 4.59 on a 5-point scale for covering objectives, organization, and applicability to their jobs. Furthermore, participants reported a measurable increase in their understanding of the topics after the sessions, and nearly 100% of respondents indicated they would recommend the presentations to colleagues. Specific topics identified as most valuable included one-person plowing techniques, operator responsibilities for truck checks, spreader calibration, and cost-effective material use strategies. The significance of this work lies in the provision of a unified, evidence-based training resource for the winter maintenance community. The report concludes with recommendations for the ongoing management of these materials, including an annual review process by TAC members to ensure content remains current, a formal mechanism for tracking user feedback, and strategies for marketing the modules to member states. By standardizing training content and providing tools for continuous improvement, the project aims to enhance the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of roadway snow and ice control operations nationwide.

Key finding

Nearly 100% of pilot training participants would recommend the winter maintenance modules to their colleagues, and all sessions resulted in reported increases in participant understanding of the topics.

Methodology

lab_experiment

Sample size: 239

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

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