An updated approach to road gritting is being considered by Bradford Council, which has revealed plans to introduce new technology that will help manage cold weather.
The local authority is seeking to use hi-tech road temperature sensors, as well as thermal mapping data and in-depth weather forecasting, to help determine which areas are at highest risk of icing over.
It would involve the precautionary gritting of major roads more susceptible to freezing and the monitoring of other roads left untreated.
As part of the ‘targeted’ approach, the council could see benefits such as increased resource efficiency, with the potential for between 5 and 15% less salt to be used.
A report to the decision-making executive argued that the proposed plans would ‘reduce unnecessary salt usage and vehicle movements, support environmental objectives and maintain a safe and resilient highway network’.
GPS-controlled equipment called Exactrak would also be installed into gritters, enabling the automatic regulation of the quantity of salt being spread on each road.
Cllr Andrew Judson, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Economy, Regeneration, Planning, said: ‘The network of road surface technology across the Bradford district is the largest in West Yorkshire. This reflects the Council’s commitment to monitoring and treating roads across the district as effectively as possible, using new technology to deploy crews and resources more efficiently throughout the winter season.’
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Photo: © Jodie Walton.
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