Public works staff in Saint John are looking at a number of service improvements ahead of this year’s winter season.
Operations Manager John Mascarenhas said the city will continue to use predictive forecasting to help with storm response.
AI meteorologist vendor FROST helps monitor weather forecast patterns for the city’s various “micro-climates,” according to a staff report.
Mascarenhas said five weather stations in different locations also provide details on air and road temperatures, as well as surface grip.
“We use data over the last two years to narrow down where the problematic sports are,” Mascarenhas said in a recent presentation to council.
“For example, Foster Thurston needs a different response compared to the centre of the city compared to where the airport is.”
Mascarenhas said staff also made the decision to keep four old plow trucks on hand that can be used when other pieces of equipment break down.
The city is also increasing the number of sidewalks it clears with a side plow to 15 kilometres from 11 kilometres last season.
Staff said this helps to create a clear path between the street and sidewalks, making it safer for pedestrians to cross the street at crosswalks.
Mascarenhas said a “noticeable” increase in the number of sidewalks plowed will come by 2027. The city plans to increase the number of sidewalks plowed to 75 per cent of its inventory.
Saint John also plans to continue pre-treating dry road surfaces of major arterial roads with liquid salt brine ahead of snow or icy conditions.
The protective anti-icing skim coat on the pavement surface makes it harder for ice to form on the roadway and easier for plows to remove snow once it falls.
“If you just spray regular salt on the road, it bounces off and you lose 55 per cent of it,” said Mascarenhas, noting each truckload of salt costs up to $650.
Other improvements for the 2024-25 season include new field communication devices for team members and reducing the amount of snow being pushed onto streets and sidewalks.
