Moving With The Times - Improving Winter Service Delivery - Peter Turland – Steering Group member on behalf of the NWSRG (Adapted from a presentation developed by Adrian Runacres)

NWSRG The National Winter Service Research Group is an organisation comprising: Members – who contribute funds, experience, information and direction Industry Associates – who provide experience, information and practical support (but not funding) Consultants – who provide experience and develop new knowledge – delivering the work (Only members have voting rights to ensure independence of published work)

NWSRG The National Winter Service Research Group Our main long term aim is to: Use new and existing research, and undertake applied research where necessary Work collaboratively with members and partner organisations for efficient use of funds Provide best practice guidance, training and support to practitioners in order to improve the national understanding and delivery of the Highway Winter Service

NWSRG The National Winter Service Research Group Steering Group is a Technical Sub- Group of the UK Roads Board and a member of the UK Roads Liaison Group family of organisations This follows recommendations in the “Quarmby Report” - The Resilience of England’s Transport Systems in Winter NWSRG Business plan is agreed with UKRB and UKRLG

NWSRG Practical Guide NWSRG are in the process of producing a comprehensive and up to date ‘Practical Guide for Winter Service’ which covers all of the key areas for the successful delivery of the Winter Service. It is based on sound scientific research, as well as the wealth of experience held by NWSRG Members and Industry Associates. It provides practitioners with a ‘what you need to do and how to do it safely, sustainably and cost effectively’ approach.

NWSRG Practical Guide Sections of the Guide that have already been produced include those dealing with: Salt storage and moisture content; Spreader calibration and performance monitoring; Precautionary spread rates; Treatments for snow and ice; Treatments for extreme cold.

NWSRG Practical Guide The Guide is set out in a form that provides clear and concise information and answers to questions that practitioners might ask themselves when carrying out their duties. And it is considerably more detailed than Appendix H of WMH.

‘Practical Guide for Winter Service’ An overview of how the Guidance is structured

Spread Rates – Key Messages

Spread Rates – Explanatory text

Spread Rates – Key Factors

Spread Rates – Q&A format Page  13

Storage – Moisture Content Page  14

Spread Rates - Warnings

Spread Rates - Pictures

Calibration - Diagrams

Spread Rates - Tables

Spread Rates – Decision Tree

Spread Rates – Treatment Matrix

NWSRG Practical Guide This Guidance is available to all NWSRG members now It will be updated regularly as new knowledge and research findings are combined with members feedback The Guidance is applicable to all UK Highway and Roads Authorities, regardless of size, geographic location, age of equipment or budget !

NWSRG Practical Guide & WMH The UK Roads Board and the NWSRG are committed to assisting ALL authorities, to this end: Appendix H of Well Maintained Highways will be revised by NWSRG in line with the Practical Guide and published in 2013 (following approval by the UKRB/UKRLG)

NWSRG – Practical Guidance New sections of the guidance are currently being developed and the existing sections will be periodically reviewed to ensure they are kept up to date. It is intended that Well Maintained Highways will be updated with this new information on a regular basis In order to do this we need your help and support!

NWSRG We need authorities, and consultants, and contractors, and suppliers to help us with our work, and to take part and engage with our Working Groups, so that we can ensure our guidance is appropriate and that it fully recognises and takes account of the current diversity of nationwide practices

NWSRG – Member Benefits In return, benefits to Members include: Full access to the latest and most detailed best practice guidance as soon as it is produced; Full access to numerous test results, research findings and trial reports (which will not generally be published); The opportunity to help design and take part in trials and applied research projects that will further the overall understanding of Winter Service issues;

NWSRG – Member Benefits The opportunity to assist in shaping future best practice guidance and to ensure that it fully accounts for and reflects your needs and aims; Involvement in a pro-active working forum which actively encourages engagement and support, as well as the exchange of ideas and experiences between Winter Service practitioners and industry specialists across the country (and wider) And it looks good in Court !

NWSRG – Membership Fees NWSRG Annual Membership Fees In order to be as fair as we can be, and to attract smaller authorities as well as large, our annual subscriptions are calculated on the basis of the length of treated network. Up to 250km: £ km to 1,250km: £1,000 Greater than £1,250km: £1,500 Also, Consortium / Group Membership is possible

Advances in good practice Optimal storage Maintaining salt condition Lower spread rates Optimal treatments Treatments for Extreme Cold Better resilience

NWSRG & member organisations Brought to you by the combined efforts of: NWSRG, Highways Agency, Transport Scotland, Welsh Assembly Government, Northern Ireland Road Service Local Authorities, Industry Associates with other organisations and individuals All working together

NWSRG website

NWSRG website