1. TOWPLOW Clearing the Way to Keep America Moving AASHTO
TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
TOWPLOW
Clearing the Way to
Keep America Moving
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2. THE CHALLENGE: Urban Gang Plowing
AASHTO
TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
THE CHALLENGE:
Urban Gang Plowing
The Challenge: Urban Gang Plowing …
7-10 trucks to clear one direction of an urban, multi-lane road.
As the number of multi-lane roads increases, the problem grows worse.
In times of budget cuts, it becomes critical that we explore ways to achieve the same results, using fewer trucks and drivers.
7 to 10 trucks to clear one direction of urban multi-lane roads

3. THE ANSWER: Plow Wider AASHTO TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
“With just one truck (and operator) able to do the work of more than two conventional snow plow trucks, the benefits of the TowPlow are adding up quickly”
THE ANSWER:
Plow Wider
And we did …. The TowPlow.
- excerpt from 2007 Missouri Governor’s Award for Quality and Productivity

4. WHAT IS TOWPLOW? AASHTO TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
Steerable Snow Plow Trailer Equipped With 26’ Moldboard
Liquid Delivery System or Granular Spreader
Plows 24’ Wide Path –
Width of Two Traffic Lanes
The TowPlow is a steerable snow plow trailer equipped with a 26’ moldboard and either a liquid delivery system or a granular spreader. In conjunction with a conventional snow plow truck, the combination is able to plow a path approximately 24’ wide – or the width of two typical traffic lanes.

5. WHY TOWPLOW? AASHTO TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
Higher Level of Service to Roadway Users
Ready-For-Use
Increased Performance and Safety
The TowPlow is a time-saving, safe alternative to conventional snow plowing trucks and provides a higher level of service to roadway users.

6. WHY TOWPLOW? AASHTO TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
Satisfies Customer Needs:
Prudent Stewardship of Taxpayer Funds
Roadway Safety
This ready-for-use, innovative technology not only creates a method to increase performance but directly impacts two customer needs: prudent stewardship of taxpayer dollars and roadway safety.

7. WHERE CAN TOWPLOW BE USED?
AASHTO
TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
WHERE CAN TOWPLOW BE USED?
Urban 5-lane Sections with Center Turn Lanes
Climbing Lanes
Alternate Passing Lanes
Two Lane Roads with Paved Shoulders
Where can TowPlow be used?
The TowPlow offers advantages in congested urban areas with left turn lanes, islands and commercial entrances. At a minimum, one less pass is needed due to the width and maneuverability of the TowPlow unit. In some cases, snow clearing can be accomplished with half the trucks and operators, creating substantial savings.
On rural divided four-lane highways, one TowPlow and one conventional snowplow can clear both the driving and passing lanes – and the shoulder – in a single pass. On two-lane roadways with paved shoulders, one TowPlow can clear the driving lane and the shoulder.

8. THE BENEFITS Cost-Efficiency AASHTO TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
Operational Improvements
Stretches Existing Resources
Reduced Contracting Costs
What are the benefits?
The TowPlow embodies the “doing more with less” concept. It creates operational improvements in snow removal that contribute significantly to cost efficiencies.
With shrinking numbers and reallocations of agency personnel, the task of maintaining a nonetheless growing network of lane miles becomes more challenging. The TowPlow serves as a stop gap measure, maintaining a level of service in the face of reduced operating budget for snow and ice removal.
In fact, if contractors find use of TowPlows increases profitability, competition will allow States to enjoy reduced contracting costs.

9. THE BENEFITS Increased Safety AASHTO TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
Potential for Traffic Accidents Reduced
Cycle Time Lowered
Reduced Contracting Costs
The TowPlow also increases both operator and motorist safety.
Fewer passes with less equipment mean lower potential for traffic accidents during snow and ice removal. Reductions in cycle time also give the traveling public more hours in which to operate on fully cleared roadways as a weather event unfolds.
And TowPlow is forgiving – it pivots when it strikes an object and does not tend to rotate the tow vehicle, which reduces the potential for tow vehicle damage.

10. THE BENEFITS Keeps America Moving AASHTO
TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
THE BENEFITS
Keeps America Moving
Offers Economic Vitality
Improves Mobility
Unfettered freight and passenger travel is essential to economic vitality. Clearing more lanes in less time with less equipment improves mobility, and offers considerable economic benefits to any State.

11. THE BENEFITS Reduces Emissions AASHTO TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
Less Fuel
Lower Carbon Footprint
The TowPlow is also good for the environment. It reduces the number of vehicles required to clear a given roadway and, in turn, reduces fuel use and leaves a lower carbon footprint per cycle or weather event.

12. THE BENEFITS Stronger Relationships AASHTO
TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
THE BENEFITS
Stronger Relationships
Innovation
Cost Savings
Efficiency
TowPlow can also help you build stronger relationships with your customers.
How? TowPlow is a visual demonstration of the agency’s commitment to innovation – communicating cost savings and other efficiencies that the public can easily understand and respect.

13. THE BENEFITS Increases Profitability AASHTO
TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
THE BENEFITS
Increases Profitability
Lower Operating Costs
Increased Competition
Lower Contracting Costs
TowPlow increases profitability.
Removing snow from a wider portion of roadway at potentially higher speeds means lower operating costs. Although contractors will have short-term increases in capital costs, those committed to long-term snow removal services will, in the long-term, offset those increases with lower operating costs.
As contractors take advantage of lower operating costs, the competitive nature of the bidding process will lead to lower contracting costs for state agencies.

14. THE BENEFITS Improves Operations AASHTO
TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
THE BENEFITS
Improves Operations
Decreased Cycle Time
Higher Operating Speed
Improved Reliability
TowPlow offers operational benefits beyond simple cost efficiencies:
With TowPlow, cycle time is decreased due to one pass clearing and a wider clearing path.
And, TowPlows can be used at operating speeds of about 45 mph – much higher than the speed of the traditional snowplow.
Equipment reliability is also improved.

15. THE BENEFITS Improves Operations AASHTO
TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
THE BENEFITS
Improves Operations
Extended Plow Blade Life
Quicker Positioning or
Relocation of Equipment
Efficient Clearance
With the TowPlow, blade life is extended due to reduced down force.
TowPlow will also pivot if it impacts a fixed object, which makes it easier to position or relocate snow removal equipment.
And, fewer vehicle trips to resupply treatment materials means more efficient road clearance.

16. THE BENEFITS Improves Operations AASHTO
TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
THE BENEFITS
Improves Operations
Rural and Urban Area
Benefits
Builds Clearing Capacity
You’ll find TowPlow operational in both rural and urban areas. In fact, Missouri has experienced a 50% labor and fuel savings on rural, four-lane divided highways.
TowPlow builds clearing capacity while not increasing on-road equipment fleet size.

17. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS?
AASHTO
TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS?
TOWPLOW
Clearing the Way to
Keep America Moving
Let’s open the floor for questions …

18. The Lead States Team AASHTO TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
Tim Chojnacki (Chair)
Missouri DOT
Steve Lund
Minnesota DOT
Bill Hoffman
Nevada DOT
Greg Duncan
Tennessee DOT
Steve McCarthy
Utah DOT
Wess Murray
Missouri DOT
Jim Carney
TIG’s Lead States Team includes DOT representatives with TowPlow experience who can help you implement the use of this technology in your agency. Turn to team members for insight, expertise and advice.

19. TOWPLOW Keeps America Moving on Snow Covered Roads AASHTO
TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
TOWPLOW
Keeps America Moving
on Snow Covered Roads
Thank you.