Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

 

TO:

Jonathan Douglass

 

FROM:

Chuck Soules

 

CC:

David L. Corliss, Cynthia Boecker, Diane Stoddard, Dena Mezger, Tom Orzulak

 

Date:

February 27, 2008

 

RE:

Snow Removal Practices

 

 

Sidewalk snow removal will be discussed at the March 4 City Commission meeting.  For informational purposes, the following are the practices that the city follows for snow and ice control/removal on streets:

Resources and Schedules.

·         Street Division has a total of 44 employees, including Tom Orzulak, Street Division Manager, and Administrative Support.

·         There are 21 people on a shift, 12-hour shifts.

·         There are 17 routes; 2 people are assigned smaller equipment for relief/problem areas/complaints.

·         312 miles of streets - approximately 805 lane miles.

·         Use 300 lbs. of material per lane mile which is approximately 100 tons of material to cover all streets one time.  Takes approximately 6 hours to complete all lane miles.

 

Plowing.  

·         Plowing starts when accumulation is approximately 2-3 inches of snow, or approximately 1 inch of packed snow.

·         805 lane miles at 2 passes per lane mile equals 1,610 passes.  Intersections take 3 additional passes.  Cul-de-sacs take 5 passes.

·         Takes 12 hours to plow arterials and collectors.

·         Takes 36 hours to plow all streets.

·         Use approximately 1,200 gallons of fuel every 24 hours.

·         Much of the operation is completed under traffic.

·         Downtown takes 4 people 16 hours using 7 pieces of contracted equipment.  Airport takes 4 hours with 4 people.

·         The snow plan is always used for spreading material and plowing.

·         Every snow event is different.

 

Every year the city receives repetitive complaints on several issues: snow plowed in front of driveways, snow plowed onto sidewalks, and perceived speed of operations.

 

As previously mentioned, every snow event is different.  If wet and heavy the snow rolls up and creates larger windrows across drives.  If slushy, the plowed snow spreads out further and may cover sidewalks.  In any event, the snow needs to go somewhere.

 

The snow does windrow across driveways.  We do not have the resources or time to clear snow from in front of entrances and driveways. 

 

The city has many sidewalks that are adjacent, or close to the back of curb.  This causes difficulties for residents cleaning their sidewalks if plowed snow (typically compact) is pushed back up onto the sidewalk.  The Street Division is aware of this and takes extra care in several areas where this has been a problem.  However, pushing the snow to one side or the other creates other issues.  The windrow in front of driveways on the side the snow is plowed becomes even larger.  The street is closed (because the snow is being pushed across the street and potentially into oncoming traffic) which typically takes 3 additional staff.  Finally, the location of storm sewer inlets is considered.  An example is the median on Clinton Parkway or Kasold Drive (Bob Billings Parkway to 22nd Street).  Pushing the snow to the median so as not to have it on the sidewalk would cause all melting snow to drain across the street to a storm drain.  We would then encounter several days of icy road conditions.

 

Trucks typically plow snow at a speed of 20-25 mph.  Obviously, on some streets they try to keep up with traffic but are always being passed.  The trucks are large and make a lot of noise when plowing which may create a perception of increased speed; but, the speed limit is not exceeded.

 

Please let me know if there are additional questions or additional information is needed.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works

 

CFS/je