Investigate plow blade optimization.
-
2015-08-01
Details:
-
Creators:
-
Corporate Creators:
-
Corporate Contributors:
-
Subject/TRT Terms:
-
Publication/ Report Number:
-
Resource Type:
-
Geographical Coverage:
-
Corporate Publisher:
-
Abstract:The main technique for removing accumulated snow from roadways is through the use of snow plows and snow plow
blades (blades), or cutting edges. The blade is bolted to the snow plow, and it is the component of the plowing system that
makes contact with the roadway surface. Multiple blades are currently on the market that may last longer than the standard
ODOT steel blades, which encouraged ODOT to pursue further research to compare the cost-effectiveness of using the
specialty blades compared to the costs for using ODOT’s current flame-hardened steel blade (standard blade) and
procedures for replacing these standard blades. As with any new equipment, a thorough assessment of the various specialty
blades is needed in order to determine which, if any, are prudent to implement. The blades tested during this study included
standard flame hardened steel in various configurations, carbide tipped, JOMA, PolarFlex, and BlockBuster XL Classic.
During field research activities, data must be collected at multiple locations throughout the entire winter season, at any
time of day, and for any length of time. The optimal way to collect such a large amount of data is through video recording.
For this purpose, the research team acquired a digital video recorder (DVR) equipped with a global positioning system
(GPS) and an infrared vision camera for each truck in the study. Blade measurements are taken periodically to track the
wear of each blade. When analyzing the data from first year, the results indicated implementing the carbide and XL Classic
blades will result in a cost savings. The remaining blades would cost more to utilize than the equivalent number of standard
blades. The second year data results in a savings from the all blades test except the single stacked carbide tipped blade and
the truck with a standard blade but no counterbalance. When reviewing two years of data an average savings of $778 per
PolarFlex blade and $426 per XL Classic blade implemented in place of a standard blade.
-
Format:
-
Funding:
-
Collection(s):
-
Main Document Checksum:
-
Download URL:
-
File Type: