Anti-Icing
Anti-Icing or “Direct Liquid Application” is an operation that is carried out by the Grey County Transportation and Public Safety Department to prevent the formation of black ice and frost. This operation is not designed to deal with snowfalls that occur after the initial application.
Locations for Anti-Icing include areas known to be prone to black ice and heavy frost formation. For example bridge decks, shaded areas, hills, swamps and curves.
Liquid is applied to a dry road surface and will form a residual that can be effective for 3 – 5 days under ideal dry conditions. Re-application is required if precipitation dilutes the solution.
The liquid used for Anti-Icing contains a percentage of salt brine and an organic liquid deicer. The percentage of salt brine and liquid deicer can be changed to meet forecasted pavement temperatures during certain times of the year. The addition of the liquid deicer to a salt brine solution will lower the eutectic, or freeze point temperature of the liquid enabling it to continue working at much lower temperatures.
Anti-icing requires good winter weather information and strict supervision of resources. RWIS (Road Weather Information Systems) are the most reliable systems for collecting data in order to carry out this operation.