Page 32 - FY Annual Report 2017-18

The second snow zone activation of the winter, doesn’t end when the sun comes out. When the weather
also a holiday, was President’s Day. Though both improves, it takes a bit longer for road conditions
of the activations were short-lived, they provided to improve.
learning opportunities, both for Ops crews and the “Sunny weather doesn’t mean the roads aren’t slick,”
traveling public.
Lewis said. “For example, 175th has a north-facing hill
“No matter how much we educate people through social that doesn’t get much sun. Chains are required until the
media, the news and website postings, we can’t force ice melts.”
people to chain up,” said Watkins. “We’re going to con- Starting in FY 2018–19, the snow zone signs will
tinue to raise awareness by adding flashing beacons always say “chains required,” but an additional “when
or other illumination to the signs, to help grab motor- flashing” sign was added, along with a solar-oper-
ists’ attention.”
ated flashing light that will be activated when weather
Ops staff met in spring and summer (2018) to refine the conditions warrant.
sign-changing process. During the 2017–18 winter, it “I think we’ll continue to fine tune the way we do this,”
took a crew an entire shift to change all the signs.
SNOW ZONES GAIN TRACTION IN WASHINGTON COUNTY said Larry Knaub, Operations Supervisor. “We’ve been
Public perceptions regarding when “devices required” preparing for, and responding to, snow and ice events
signs should be removed also created challenges. for a long time, and I think we do a great job. This (snow
From a road conditions standpoint, a weather incident zones) is another tool for us to improve safety.”
Talking about implementing snow zones around a con- abandoned vehicles out of roadways and off of shoul-
ference room table in August is one thing. Twisting ders so we can get through with our plows. If we can’t
wing nuts on metal signs in icy weather on busy roads plow, then fire trucks, ambulances, law enforcement,
is another. utility providers and others can’t get through either.”

Staff from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Emer- LUT staff hoped for a mild winter; no one was wishing
gency Management, County Counsel and LUT Opera- for a white Christmas.
tions and Maintenance (Ops) spent summer 2017 work- But that’s what Mother Nature delivered, along with ice,
ing out protocols and drafting ordinances to implement on Christmas Eve 2017. Crews hit the road in sanders
three snow zones.
and plows, and Keith Lewis, Operations Superintendent,
The snow zones were identified based on their steep and Ed Meeuwsen, Operations Supervisor, headed out
grades and high elevations. They are: to change snow zone signs to “chains required traction

» 175th Avenue, between Scholls Ferry tires allowed on vehicles under 10,000 GVW.”
and Rigert roads The process that seemed straightforward back in

» Barnes Road, from 118th Avenue east to the August suddenly got complicated in the snow and ice
County line, adjacent to a city of Portland of December. Turning wing nuts in the dark on a busy
snow zone street in the cold is not ideal.

» Cornell Road, from Cedar Hills “Your dexterity with gloves is zero, but when you take
Boulevard east to the County line off your gloves your hands are freezing,” Meeuwsen
said. “We didn’t realize how tricky it would be. In the
“Snow zones are designed to protect the traveling pub- summer it seemed reasonable, but add ice and it got
lic,” said Todd Watkins, Ops Manager. “It’s not only very difficult.” Ed Meeuwsen, Operations Supervisor; Larry Knaub, Operations Supervisor;
Keith Lewis, Operations Superintendent
to prevent crashes, though. It’s also about keeping

29 | Partnering for the Future LUT Annual Report FY 2017–18 LUT Annual Report FY 2017–18 Partnering for the Future | 30