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Thirty-three Lake County, Illinois, snowplows were outfitted with GPS tracking devices at the beginning of this 2010 in an effort to improve snowplow service. The Lake County Department of Transportation has also equipped sanding vehicles with beet juice.

Not only have GPS tracking devices made it possible for Lake County DOT officials to “…watch trucks on the street,” but DOT officials are also hoping that GPS technology will allow the department to “…redesign routes and make them more efficient.”

The inclusion of GPS technology has made it possible for Lake County DOT officials to monitor snowplows during any given snowstorm. This information is then used to record current routes. In turn, these details will be used to devise more efficient routes – great news for anyone who’s been stuck on a snowy road for hours.

By using GPS technology, Lake County has saved approximately 1600 gallons of diesel fuel and 600 tons of salt.

So, where does the beet juice come into play? The Lake County DOT has determined that mixing beet juice with road salt helps to melt ice faster than regular salt. In addition to being an innovative way to keep streets free of icy spots, beet juice is environmentally friendly.

The “road brine” is “…very effective…it helps to keep the ice from bonding with the road.” By mixing road salt with beet juice, Lake County has saved a lot of salt. When it comes to mastering winter road conditions, Lake County, Illinois, sets a great example of GPS efficiency, environmental consciousness, and cost saving transportation approaches.

Article Written by Harriette Halepis