Sweep salting on cycle paths in Stockholm 2013/2014
Overview
Background & policy context:
Stockholm has a stated goal that the proportion of all journeys made by bicycle will increase, even during the wintertime. For cyclists' safety, it is especially important to ensure an adequate friction. In Sweden one of the main reasons of cyclist's accidents is slipping, primarily due to ice and snow but also because of remaining gravels originating from winter gritting. One method that could contribute to a higher standard of bike paths in winter is "sopsaltmetoden" applied today in some Swedish municipalities. The method involves a sweeper cleaning the snow and fighting with saline or moistened salt. In the context of a PhD project at VTI and KTH made several studies on the use of the method in Linköping, but since then no detailed monitoring or evaluation made in Sweden.
moistened with saline or salt. In the context of a PhD project at VTI and KTH made a
Objectives:
The aim of the project was to investigate possible improvements to the methodology, equipment and strategy to achieve a more optimal use under coming winters, where the salt content is kept as low as possible without compromising safety.
Methodology:
In the winter of 2012/13 tested the city of Stockholm a few pieces of equipment for sopsaltning on selected cycling routes in Stockholm. Since the winter of 2013/14, there is a wider application of the method of some selected major cycle routes for commuters. On behalf of the City of Stockholm, VTI has made evaluative measurements at six selected sites along these routes. There were observed the road conditions what was supplemented with measurements of friction and salt quantities. In addition, measures have been followed up by incident reports and driver record review and interviews with managers and drivers.
Peab, which has been responsible contractor, during the winter of 2013/14 had access to five vehicles for sopsaltningen, in different combinations: Lundbergare roller brush with forward and Falköping DISCSPREADER on a semi-trailer; Wille with sweeper back and Schmidt plate spreader on a semi-trailer; and Multihog with combined plow and sweeper back and a spraying boom with nozzles for salt spreading the rear of the vehicle. Multihogen can only spread brine, but may be varied from 5 to 25 grams per square meter. Falköpings and Schmidt spreaders are both of type "DISCSPREADER" which means that it is possible to add both saline moistened or dry salt. Then the amount of salt is varied from 0 to 40 grams per square meter.
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