Ever wonder what the state and municipalities spend on snow and ice removal every winter? Or whether some of the chemicals they use are more damaging to your car than others? The University of Maine has released a study that may help answer some of these questions. AS Anne Mostue reports, the researchers also recommend a series of steps to reduce costs, limit the negative impact of chemicals and improve public safety.

Ever wonder what the state and municipalities spend on snow and ice removal every winter? Or whether some of the chemicals they use are more damaging to your car than others? The University of Maine has released a study that may help answer some of these questions. AS Anne Mostue reports, the researchers also recommend a series of steps to reduce costs, limit the negative impact of chemicals and improve public safety.


Maine spends an estimated $98 million dollars a year on snow and ice removal, or an average $76 dollars per resident. But what might be even more impressive is that last winter, the state and municipalities purchased an average of 750 pounds of rock salt per resident, or 21 tons per road mile.


"I don't have an opinion if it's too much or too little. I live in Bangor, and Bangor is a great service."

Jonathan Rubin is a professor at the UMaine School of Economics and Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, which conducted the study.

"One thing that we did find is that there's quite a variation at the municipal level
between how much per road mile is spent. We found a factor of three. So some of the most expensive towns might spend three times more per lane mile than some of the least expensive towns."

Rubin says that's because rural towns tend to have small populations spread over wider distances. He says the study is an attempt to take an objective look at the Department of Transportation's winter practices, costs and environmental impact.


"The question is, what level of service do we want, how quickly do we want these roads cleaned. Do we go to a bare pavement policy, which is what Maine D.O.T. has."

A bare pavement policy means the roads are free of ice and snow, except in the middle of a storm.

The study also examines the three types of anti-icing chemicals the state uses: calcium chloride, magnesium chloride and sodium chloride, which is salt.

"The question is, is one more corrosive than the other? And it turns out that in real-life conditions, with variable humidity, variable temperature, variable application rates, there's no real difference. So we're saying that the towns and Maine DOT should use whichever makes sense from a cost and safety perspective."

But Rubin says the long-term environmental effects of road chemicals are apparent in Maine's groundwater and new policies are needed to encourage the use of chemicals and technologies with less environmental impact. He points out that the Province of Quebec has a mandatory snow tire policy and uses less salt than Maine, though the report stops short of recommending a similar law.

Finally, the report examines driver safety during winter months. Rubin says it looked at all crashes for the last 20 years that were associated with winter weather.


" We know that younger drivers, the 16-18-year-old group, are significantly overrepresented in crashes. Now, we don't know whether that's because 16-18 YEAR OLDS choose to drive when other drivers stay home, or if 16-18-year-olds have less skill in driving conditions."

For that reason, the report encourages more driver safety education. The Maine Department of Transportation, which requested the study be conducted, says the findings demonstrate how economic, safety and environmental issues are inextricably linked.

"You know, if we're looking for barer roads, there's going to be a cost associated with that, both a monetary value and on the environmental side as well."

Brian Burne is a Maine Department of Transportation Highway maintenance engineer.

"I think we're spending what we need to spend to get the job done. We're striving to work within the budget we have, we're ahead of the game right now."

Burne says the state uses more rock salt than any other type of deicing chemical, but acknowleges the amount being used isn't environmentally sustainable. He says the state will consider the report's recommendations on areas where salt and sand use can be cut back. Burne also says the state is interested in improving public education on driving on icy roads.

A full copy of the report can be found online at mcspolicycenter.umaine.edu/