seminars
salt smart learning guide
(SMART: Spreading, Management, Application Rates and Timing)
The Transportation Association of Canada has developed a brand new train-the-trainer program on the best practices for the environmental management of road salts. The concept allows organizations to train one or a small number of individuals at a reasonable cost at a location of their choosing. These trainers can then train operators and supervisors within their own organization on a schedule and in a location that meets their organization's needs. The Salt SMART Learning Guide, used by these operators and supervisors, can be downloaded from this page free of charge.
The objective of this learning guide is to help you, as a winter road maintainer, to understand how it is possible to optimize the use of road salt while continuing to provide safe roads during winter and minimizing the impact on the environment.
This guide offers best practices for the Spreading, Maintenance, Application Rates & Timing (SMART) of road salt. When best practices are being discussed in detail in a particular chapter, they are summarized at the end of that chapter in a checklist format that you can pull out. You can then use these "pullouts" as refresher or quick reference material, either by posting on a wall, or combining them into a "best practices" manual.
Maximize the value of the Learning Guide
by having your trainer take
TAC's Salt SMART Train-the-trainer Program!
LEARNING GUIDE
The guide is divided into 5 modules. You have the option of downloading the individual modules or the complete guide.
All documents are in PDF format. To view or download these documents, you will need to get Acrobat Reader. Please visit the Adobe site for the latest version of Acrobat Reader.
COMPLETE GUIDE
MODULE 1 - GETTING STARTED
Module 1 sets the stage by looking at the importance of transportation to our economy and way of life; the economic implications of winter maintenance; and the cost-benefits of winter maintenance.
MODULE 2 - PRE-SEASON: GETTING READY
Module 2 looks at activities that take place in the pre-season as you prepare for the upcoming winter season. Good preparation is the key to effective winter road maintenance operations. The more you can do in the off-season, the more time you'll have during storms to focus on the immediate tasks at hand. The module opens with a look at the impact of winter operations on the environment. This provides the context for the tools, technologies, and strategies that we'll be discussing in the rest of the learning guide. Pre-season activities that are discussed include planning and organizing; ordering, storing, and handling product; ordering and preparing equipment; organizing snow disposal; and preparing your communications strategy.
Module 2 includes the following chapters:
- Chapter 1: Impact on environment
- Chapter 2: Planning and organizing resources
- Chapter 3: Ordering the product
- Chapter 4: Storing the product
- Chapter 5: Handling the product
- Chapter 6: Ordering the equipment
- Chapter 7: Preparing the equipment
- Chapter 8: Organizing snow disposal
- Chapter 9: Communications
MODULE 3 - IN-SEASON: BATTLING THE STORM
Module 3 looks at activities that take place before, during and after the storm. Before the storm you're gathering information, formulating your action plan, and monitoring variables that affect road conditions. During the storm your focus is on coordinating chemical and mechanical removal of snow and ice. In effect, this is when you put into action the activities that you've planned and prepared for in the off-season and before the storm. After-the-storm activities include cleaning the snow from the streets, operating the snow disposal site, and making sure that you monitor, record, and capture lessons learned from the event.
Module 3 includes the following chapters:
- Chapter 1: Gathering information
- Chapter 2: Formulating the action plan
- Chapter 3: Monitoring variables that affect road conditions
- Chapter 4: Coordinating chemical and mechanical removal
- Chapter 5: After the storm
MODULE 4 - POST-SEASON
Module 4 looks at what happens in the post-season. This includes decommissioning the snow disposal site once the melting is finished, and cleaning up the maintenance yard. This is also the time that you complete your record-keeping and reporting activities, and work on your salt management plan.
MODULE 5 - APPENDIX
Module 5 looks at what jurisdictions around the country are doing to optimize their road salt usage in an effort to mitigate the environmental impacts of winter road maintenance activities. These case studies provide real examples of how the tools, technologies, and techniques discussed in this learning guide have been implemented and are producing positive benefits for the environment and for the bottom line.
For more information, contact seminars@tac-atc.ca.