Summary

This document is the Solid Chemical Application Guidelines for an Effective Anti-icing Program, prepared by the New Jersey Department of Transportation's Winter Maintenance Program. The guidelines were adapted from the Manual of Practice for an Effective Anti-icing Program originally developed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Corps of Engineers in 1996.

The guidelines establish operational protocols for applying solid chemical de-icing agents across various weather conditions and pavement temperatures. The document provides five detailed application tables addressing light snow storms, moderate or heavy snow storms, frost or black ice conditions, freezing rain storms, and sleet storms. Each table specifies initial and subsequent operational procedures based on pavement surface conditions, temperature ranges, and weather trends, with corresponding chemical spread rates measured in pounds per lane-mile. Chemical application rates vary from 150 to 400 pounds per lane-mile depending on weather severity and pavement temperature. Initial operations typically employ pre-wetted solid chemicals or solid chemicals alone, while subsequent operations focus on prevention of ice formation and packed snow development. The guidelines recommend applying chemicals ahead of traffic rush periods and emphasize continuous monitoring of pavement temperature and precipitation intensity to determine optimal application frequency and rates. Chemical applications are not recommended when pavement temperatures fall below 15°F, with abrasives recommended as an alternative for enhanced traction in such conditions.