Sustainable snow and ice control of parking lots, plaftorms, and sidewalks (SICOPS) for improving winter pedestrian safety

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The proposed research is a continued effort of a recent NSERC CRD project entitled "Optimum Snow and Ice Control for Parking Lots and Sidewalks" which focused on identifying the appropriate maintenance strategies, materials and application rates to address the specific maintenance needs of parking lots and sidewalks under specific winter conditions. Based on results from approximately 5000 tests over 100 winter snow events, a comprehensive set of new guidelines have been developed for the maintenance industry. The project was considered as a significant success, showcasing how high quality academic research can help address practical problems of significant stake. Our industry partners - Landscape Ontario, Go Transit, and Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA, US) - have already started to promote the new guidelines as the best available decision support tool. It is expected that many maintenance contractors will start to use the guidelines, especially, the recommended salt application rates in the coming winter seasons. The ultimate value of the guidelines and their acceptance by the industry can only be realized after they are fully field validated and further improved under a majority of real world conditions and operating constraints. The proposed research will therefore focus on the following objectives: a) field validate the application methods and rates developed in the previous project; b) develop improved snow and ice control methods for parking lots, platforms and sidewalks; c) develop improved understanding of pedestrian risk and contributing factors under winter conditions; d) develop cost effective countermeasures for improving winter pedestrian safety. The research will make substantial contributions to the improvement of the winter maintenance guidelines and practices, which will in turn enhance the professionalism and environmental stewardship. This collaborative project will therefore benefit all Canadians by improving pedestrian safety, reducing slip and fall litigations, and minimizing the environmental effect of salting.