WAMU 88.5 : News

Filed Under:

Winter Is Coming: D.C. Tests Out New Plow Tracking System

By: Armando Trull // November 2, 2012
Play associated audio
comments
District Department of Public Works drivers compare old paper map to new electronic map that shows the streets they've plowed or salted.
Armando Trull
District Department of Public Works drivers compare old paper map to new electronic map that shows the streets they've plowed or salted.

The District's Department of Public Works is deploying new technology to keep city streets free of snow this coming winter and beyond.

In the past, operators of the District's fleet of light plows, equipped with salt spreaders on the back and a plow in front, relied on paper maps to track and plan their routes through city streets. Last year, the city invested nearly $5 million to upgrade its fleet with new technology.

"At the Reeve Center, we can track what's going on and see what they're plowing and salting," says Department of Public Works Director Bill Howland. "What we decided to do this year was to test out and see if we can put these computer screens in the vehicles, so that the drivers could see exactly what they've covered for salting and plowing."

The DPW ran their first dry-run of the system on Friday.

"This is the very first day that we've tried it, and if it works out, next year we'll be putting these in all the vehicles," says Howland.

Residents of the District can view the location of the plow fleet as well on the District Snow Team website.

Arts & Culture

NPR

A Race Against Time To Find WWI's Last 'Doughboys'

In 2003, Richard Rubin set out to talk to every American veteran of World War I he could find. With help from the French, he tracked down dozens of centenarian vets and recorded their stories in a new book called The Last of the Doughboys.

Food

NPR

The Great Charcoal Debate: Briquettes Or Lumps?

Does the kind of charcoal you use really make a difference when it comes to grilling up a tasty steak or other food on the grill? Yes — but deciding which one to use depends on what you're after. Both briquettes and lump charcoal — aka "natural" hardwood charcoal — have their advantages and disadvantages.

Politics

WAMU 88.5

Analysis: Republicans' Immigration Bill Could Come At Expense Of Democrats' Visa Bill

David Hawkings, political columnist at Hawkings Here for Roll Call, talks about the latest behind a Virginia lawmaker's push to get a high-skill immigration bill in the House.

Technology

NPR

Google Reportedly Faces FTC Antitrust Probe Over Display Ads

The Federal Trade Commission is in the early stages of opening an antitrust probe into how Google runs its online display advertising business, according to a report by Bloomberg News, citing sources who want to remain anonymous because the FTC has not announced the probe.

Leave a Comment

Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.