Document Summary

This document is the Solid Chemical Application Guidelines for an Effective Anti-icing Program prepared by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Winter Maintenance Program. The guidelines are adapted from the Manual of Practice for an Effective Anti-Icing Program developed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the US Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Corps of Engineers in 1996. The document serves as a technical resource for NJDOT and related transportation agencies in New Jersey responsible for winter road maintenance operations.

The guidelines provide detailed operational protocols for applying solid chemical de-icers across five distinct weather event scenarios: light snow storms, moderate or heavy snow storms, frost or black ice conditions, freezing rain storms, and sleet storms. For each weather event, the document specifies chemical application rates measured in pounds per lane-mile, maintenance actions, and operational procedures based on pavement temperature ranges and weather trends. Application rates vary significantly by condition, ranging from no chemical application in certain temperature ranges to rates of 350 pounds per lane-mile in moderate to heavy snow conditions between 15 to 25°F. The guidelines emphasize timing of applications to prevent deteriorating conditions and packed snow development, recommend pre-wetting solid chemicals for enhanced effectiveness, and specify that plowing should occur before chemical applications to remove excess precipitation. Critical operational considerations include monitoring pavement and precipitation conditions closely, adjusting application frequency based on traffic volumes and condensation levels, and applying chemicals ahead of traffic rush periods during storms.