Gritters go hi-tech for the winter
Gritter crews in the East Riding are gearing up for their most hi-tech battle yet against winter weather.
For the first time, an automatic salting system is being used on six specially-equipped vehicles.
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One of the hi-tech gritting vehicles
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Driver Dave Truscott tries out one of the gritting vehicles fitted with a satellite navigation system
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The satellite navigation equipment inside the gritter vehicles
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Councillor Matthew Grove, left, and Lester Burton at the salt storage facility at Market Weighton Council Depot
Using satellite navigation, the system not only tells the driver where to go, but automatically sprays salt on the roads according to a pre-set computer model.
The vehicles also carry infra-red CCTV cameras to monitor the spreading of the salt and use mobile phone technology to transmit data records back to their respective bases, detailing what actions have been taken.
Lester Burton, principal engineer at East Riding Council, said: "The satellite navigation system selects the correct amount of salt to be used on certain routes and then dispenses it.
"The system allows the driver to fully concentrate on driving because some of the more rural routes can be quite treacherous, even in vehicles like these.
"It also enables us to be much more precise in where the salt is dispensed.
"In the past, it has often been accidentally spread into hedgerows and gardens, but this system means we can direct the levels through the model to get the same results with less salt."
About 16,000 tons of salt is used each winter on the East Riding's roads, at a cost of more than £1.4m.
Each of the new hi-tech gritters costs about £100,000.
This winter, they will cover six of the 17 main gritting routes across the East Riding, with the remaining routes expected to be covered next year when all the winter vehicles will have been fitted with the auto-salting systems.
Mr Burton said: "The vehicles we have now are a far cry from the days of having a van in a lay-by with two men armed with a spade and a stick."
This winter, the council is also rolling out its pre-wetted salting treatment across the East Riding.
The treatment involves rock salt being sprayed with brine before being spread on to the roads.
Mr Burton said: "This makes the salt more effective because it starts working quicker."
Councillor Matthew Grove, cabinet member for highways maintenance said: "Safety on the roads is something the council takes very seriously and our maintenance operations team will continue to provide cutting-edge winter services to help with this goal."
12 Comments
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by ellie, beverley
Thursday, November 06 2008, 11:54AM
“Tim i think thats a really good idea but it would disappear quicker than salt wouldnt it? You should put this idea forward in writing to the council and see if you get a response!”
by Tim, Hornsea
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 4:53PM
“Has the ERYC ever looked into spraying industrial alcohol onto the roads instead of salt? The advantages are,
(i) Easier to apply
(ii) Produced locally at BP's Saltend site so there's a small carbon footprint.
(iii) Completely harmless on contact with vehicle working parts.
(iv) The tanker/appliers can be used in summer to cool the roads down especially where traffic sluffs the tarmac off and leave pot holes in the winter.
(v) The rate of application can be much more accurately controlled. There are no clogs caused by foreign bodies trying to get through the mesh.
Now then ERYC I think you sometimes feel that people unfairly thumb their nose at the Council but here's an honest idea. Consider it, please.
Tim”
by E. Skimo, N. Pole
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 2:04PM
“Lynz, Hull , they use chains on their tyres.”
by Lynz, Hull
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 1:35PM
“How come in places like Lapland, Finland, Norway etc where the temperature is in minus figures from November to March, and it's under two feet of snow, there is no such thing as a road gritter?”
by Neil, Yorkshire
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 1:15PM
“Arthur Fowler from Eastenders in gritting the roads.”
by Astonomia, East Riding
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 12:58PM
“Lets hope the gritters don't hit the many potholesin and trenches which the council have failed to repair or they will be in the garage most of the winter.”
by Harry, Hedon
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 12:33PM
“I hope the new gritters are more efficient. Last winter the road in parts of Hedon were 2 inches deep with grit and salt as the wgaons are sent out from the depot near Hedon. Some roads appear to be gitted half a dozen times in a night. I do agree that gritting is necessary, but think that it is overdone. Already this year the gritters have been out when temperatures have only been down to 3 degrees. It does a lot of damage to vehicles by causing corrosion of metal parts and bodywork. Drivers should have the sense to slow down if it could be icy. Gritting should only be done when there is a real danger of black ice.”
by D, East Riding
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 11:29AM
“Jonathan, West Hull , Gareth, Hull- this story is about east riding council gritters not Hull so you are not paying for it if you are where you say you are!”
by Pete, Hull
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 10:17AM
“I can not believe the first 3 postings. If the roads where not gritted every motorist who suffered an accident could sue t he Council.
The biggest screamers if an accident did happen would probably come from you three..
I have no love for the way councils waste money but to critisise road gritting, god help us.
You will be complaining about replacing bulbs in panda crossing next on the grounds that pedestrians should be careful.”
by Gareth, Hull
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 10:03AM
“Great £6000000 on new gritters, you could buy 6 drain cleaners to avoid further flooding with that.........”