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For localities who get one snow storm every few years and those that get inundated with snow for winter months on-end, it’s equally important to have a road closure plan in place that keeps vehicles moving safely — or off roads all together — during severe winter weather events. IBTS spoke with Tim Baker, maintenance environmental coordinator for the New York State Department of Transportation Region III, who is also responsible for the agency’s emergency management, about the best practices used for managing roadways in severe winter weather events in one of the snowiest regions in the country.

Coordinate with the Department of Transportation Before Issuing Road Closures

• Prior to issuing a road closure on a major route, city and town emergency management agencies should coordinate with the county Department of Transportation to ensure that snow plows will quickly clear alternate routes to prevent further backups as vehicles are rerouted.

Use Multiple Methods of Communication

• Use multiple methods of communication, like message boards placed along road, local media and radio, to send out information on road closures. When heavy snow is predicted, issue road closures as soon as possible.

Take Timing into Consideration

• “Take morning and evening commute times into consideration before issuing road closures and travel advisories,” Baker says. Travel advisories can create unwanted chaos in the community; avoid issuing advisories when not absolutely necessary.

Have Assistance on Standby

• Have state police and law enforcement on standby to enforce road closures. If available, a snow plow or dump truck can be positioned to block highway on-ramps and prevent any traffic from entering the roadway.
• “Consider having an emergency standby contract with a third-party closure crew that can be mobilized when roads need to be shut down,” Baker suggests. “This frees up law enforcement officials that would have been placed on standby.”
• When a severe snow event is predicted, have a standby team staged in areas expected to be hardest-hit that can get to closure sites quickly.

Prevent Road Closures and Backup 

• Have a plan in place to put tow trucks on standby to help pull tractor trailers that get stuck on hills and worsen traffic backups and delays.
• Identify problematic areas – like hilly roads or areas with heavy traffic flow – during disaster planning. The state regional department of transportation should focus plows and resources on these areas; county and town can focus on less-problematic areas in the region.
• If a severe winter storm is in the forecast, begin checking supplies like salt and fuel, and ensuring that all snow plows are in working order. Develop a checklist of needed supplies and equipment to ensure that emergency operations can begin as soon as snowfall begins.

Download the NYS Department of Transportation’s Severe Storm Readiness Checklist as a guide for your own locality.