Specifications include, but are not limited to: Through a survey of Clear Roads member states and municipalities, investigators will identify products that are used to treat roads during winter events. Using the survey results, investigators will select the five to seven most commonly used mixed salts for evaluation. Investigators will draft laboratory testing protocols for Clear Roads approval prior to lab testing, where investigators will examine and document the performance of the selected products. The following is a list of deliverables expected to be provided by the successful responder: 1. Kick-off teleconference at the start of the project to review project tasks and goals and discuss plans for all tasks. 2. Check-in teleconferences with Clear Roads to review deliverables as appropriate. 3. Literature and industry search. A literature search for information about the benefits of treating solid deicing salts, specifically the effects on the working temperatures of these products, and whether the additives increase performance and produce enhanced deicing results. This literature search will also include a search for mixed salts that are currently available on the market. 4. Agency survey. A survey of Clear Roads member states and municipalities to identify the solid deicing salt products most commonly used and to gather information about agencies’ experiences with these products. The survey should ask participants to identify the solid salt products they use to treat roads during winter events, and whether they are injecting these salts with any other products. This survey will seek to identify not only the solid salt products and the additives used but will gather this data within the framework of various temperature ranges. In addition, the survey should query agencies about the products’ performance, costs, and environmental impacts. Deliverables will be a set of draft survey questions (to be approved by Clear Roads prior to survey deployment) and a file containing the full text of all survey responses. 5. Mixed salt products for evaluation. Using the survey results, investigators will identify and evaluate the five to seven most commonly used mixed salt products. 6. Product testing protocols. Investigators will develop and submit draft product testing protocols for laboratory testing for Clear Roads review and approval. Investigators will obtain approval of the selected mixed salts and testing protocols from Clear Roads prior to advancing to Task 7 of this project. 7. Mixed salt product testing and results. Investigators will conduct lab testing based on the approved protocols. A comparison of solid untreated white salt (NaCl) as a control with the mixed salts will be made. A frictional analysis of the mixed salts will also be conducted. The prospective PI may decide to use the Mechanical Rocker Test developed by the University of Nebraska and Nebraska DOT. The Mechanical Rocker Test indicates the temperature at which the product ceases to perform in the lab and also indicates ice melting capacity. It should be understood that the Mechanical Rocker Test has been validated for liquid deicers but has not yet been validated for solid deicers. Results of product testing will be provided to Clear Roads. 8. Final report. This report will document the research methodology and findings of the lab tests. Photos and documentation will show the effects of the additives on solid salt compared to that of solid untreated white salt. The report will include an executive summary, conclusions, and recommendations. 9. Virtual webinar to present project findings. 10. Quarterly reports that provide documentation of progress should be submitted to the Clear Roads Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) at the end of each quarter of the year (March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31) for the duration of the contract.
