In The News

Snow and ice research prompts ATA Action Plan

Based on the results of a study on the effects of snow and ice accumulation on vehicles, American Trucking Associations President and CEO Bill Graves issued a "call to action" for ATA to work with the American Automobile Association and other industry partners to create comprehensive solutions to snow- and ice-related safety problems.


In regions with significant snowfall, snow and ice can accumulate atop vehicles and can become dislodged. Snow and ice falling from motor vehicles create a variety of safety issues that can result in property damage or injury to other motorists.


Last winter, with Connecticut legislators considering fines for drivers who cause crashes because they did not clear their vehicles' roofs of ice and snow, the American Trucking Associations asked the American Transportation Research Institute to study the issue.


Based on their findings, ATRI determined that challenges for the trucking industry include the hazards that workers face when manually clearing snow and ice from the tops of trailers, the limited availability and effectiveness of snow removal devices and the lack of available vehicle-based solutions.


The multi-stage plan calls for several initiatives, including the education of operators of all types of vehicle, studies of the feasibility of snow removal devices at weigh stations and ports of entry, and investigating vehicle-based solutions to prevent or reduce snow and ice accumulation.


For additional information about ATRI's findings, visit www.atri-online.org/research/results/SNICEsummary.pdf