T0777 Attachment 5 - Spreading Services Guide.pdf

This document is a guidelines manual issued by the New Jersey Department of Transportation for its Winter Maintenance Program. It provides technical guidance for the application of solid chemical de-icing agents during various winter weather events, adapted from the Manual of Practice for an Effective Anti-Icing Program originally prepared by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the US Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Corps of Engineers in 1996.

The guidelines establish application protocols for solid chemical de-icers across five distinct weather 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 spread rates measured in pounds per lane-mile, maintenance actions, and operational procedures based on pavement temperature ranges. Application rates vary significantly by condition, ranging from no chemical application when temperatures remain above 32°F to rates of 150 to 350 pounds per lane-mile for moderate to heavy snow at temperatures between 15°F and 32°F. The guidelines emphasize pre-application timing, plow operations sequencing, traffic management considerations, and monitoring protocols. Recommendations include applying pre-wetted solid chemicals ahead of traffic rush periods, increasing application rates during heavier precipitation events, and avoiding chemical application below 15°F where abrasives are recommended instead. The guidance prioritizes preventing deteriorating pavement conditions and packed snow development through appropriate timing and frequency of applications.