Field test comparison of calcium magnesium acetate to salt

Abstract

This paper focuses on the technical and operational aspects of calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) compared to those for salt for winter road deicing. The results are based on a winter road test conducted by the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), for the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), in the Lake Tahoe basin, during the winter of 1989-90. CMA test sections and salt control sections were employed to make comparative evaluations. Road conditions were monitored during winter storms in test and control sections. Reports from maintenance personnel and road monitors were used to evaluate resulting responses of test and control sections to determine the performance of the applied chemicals. Operational characteristics of CMA use were noted by NDOT supervisors. Topics addressed include the minimum temperature of CMA and salt effectiveness, the nature of CMA and salt interaction with varying road conditions, clearing times and levels of service for CMA and salt, and operational characteristics of CMA use. The results are correlated with other field studies. © ASCE.