Maintenance Decision Support Systems (MDSS) and Winter Road Conditions

GVF Transportation recently attended a conference on a new winter weather maintenance program PennDOT called Maintenance Decision Support Systems (MDSS), which PennDOT is considering adopting. For the 2007-2008 winter season, PennDOT spent roughly $200 million on winter weather maintenance. Currently, a federal program called the Pooled Fund Study MDSS is operational in more than a dozen states. MDSS is a computer-based, customizable tool that provides winter maintenance personnel with route-specific weather forecast information and treatment recommendations. MDSS provides almost real-time road condition reporting, and gives road treatment recommendations with regards to treatment type and timing. MDSS allows for better more efficient use of salt and other deicing materials, as well as better maintenance of road crews shifts. A representative from Illinois Department of Transportation noted that during one snow event on February 28, 2008, having an operational MDSS saved the state upwards of $100,000 in materials and labor. It should be noted, though, that MDSS can be an expensive system to employ, and the technology does require some training. However, with the cost of salt and gasoline rising, the initial cost may be off-set by savings down the road.