A well-organized and prepared maintenance department, armed with chemicals, abrasives, machines, men and a plan based on valuable experience, can prevent delays and provide maximum utilization of the vast highway transportation investment. The prevention or prompt correction of the slippery road as a driving hazard is the established winter maintenance policy on most primary routes and many local roads. Skid prevention at danger areas is a minimum requirement for lower traffic volume routes. This publication has been prepared in the interest of maximum safety and service to the motorist on all highways affected by snow and ice. Its use will be of value to new as well as experienced personnel of all maintenance organizations.

"This synthesis report will be of interest to transportation agency maintenance engineers, managers, and operators and others involved with roadway snow and ice control including safety engineers, traffic engineers, and law enforcement agency personnel. It presents information on the state of the practice in managing roadway snow and ice control considering both rural and urban locations. The document describes the developments that have occurred during the past 20 years to improve winter maintenance. This report of the Transportation Research Board discusses winter maintenance policies and provides examples for state, city, and county agencies. Included in the discussion of winter maintenance policies are issues such as: levels of service, public relations, liability for services, and experimenting with new policies. Additional information is included on estimating winter maintenance benefits and costs; personnel and management issues; weather information systems; and materials, equipment, and facilities for winter maintenance."--Avant-propos.