Evaluation of the GPS/AVL systems for snow and ice operations resource management.

2017PDFTech ReportFHWA/OH-2017-31Global Positioning SystemAutomatic vehicle locationModemsWinter maintenanceVehicle fleetsHeavy duty trucksUnited StatesOhio. Dept. of Transportation. Office of Statewide Planning and ResearchSchneider, WilliamCrow, MalloryHolik, William A.Bakula, CaseyMaistros, Alexander R.Gould, Zachary T.Lurtz, John M.University of AkronOhio. Dept. of TransportationUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationNTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-Environment ImpactsNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATIONUS Transportation CollectionSnow and ice management is the single largest expenditure in the maintenance budget for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) with an annual cost including labor, equipment, and materials reaching approximately $86 million (ODOT, 2013). One method to increase the efficiency of operations is the implementation of a Global Positioning System (GPS) and Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) resource management system. Phase One of the project, was to implement 22 trucks with systems that work with the hydraulic system on the truck. During this phase, the research team was able to implement one system that works with both primary hydraulic systems in the ODOT fleet. With success in Phase One, Phase Two was developed to scale-up the fleet from 22 to 187 trucks throughout the state. The deliverables of this project are the details of installing and troubleshooting the system and the website developed for ODOT and with ODOT. The website allows real-time data and historical data for the truck location and road conditions. The website is able to rely various data platforms depending on what ODOT wants to implement. The cost of the systems will vary depending on the level of detail the end users would like to receive. More sensors requires more capital, maintenance and calibration cost