Thuringia's Highways: Constant Salt Consumption Regardless of Winter Mildness
Mild winters in recent years have failed to result in less salt usage on Thuringia's highways. According to Autobahn GmbH des Bundes spokesperson, consumption remains relatively constant. Even when temperatures hover around freezing points, preventative measures such as brine spraying and salt usage for clearing are employed. The 2022/2023 winter in Thuringia was identified as the twelfth excessively warm winter in a row, as per the Thuringian climate report.
Stocked and Ready for Winter
Starting this year's winter season, Thuringia's freeway maintenance depots are carrying full salt stockpiles. A total of 9,000 tons of salt and 850,000 liters of brine are stored in the four depots located in Breitenworbis, Erfurt, Hermsdorf, and Zella-Mehlis, with further depots along the routes. Reorders can be made via annual contracts when required. Most of the salt utilized on Thuringian highways comes from Sondershausen's Kyffhäuserkreis.
Employees and Winter Service Challenges
For the 166 employees of the highway maintenance depots, the winter service, which stretches until the end of March, entails additional work. Shifts might be employed around the clock for clearing and salting during demanding weather conditions. Other tasks, such as the maintenance of trees and shrubs scheduled until the end of February, may take a back seat.
Seasonal workers are occasionally deployed where required, but finding good new recruits is a challenge. Regardless, the winter service offers job security.
Several vehicles, totaling around 55, Winter Service Vehicles in Thuringia, cover approximately 1000 kilometers of road. They move through predefined routes called clearing loops, usually completed in one and a half to two hours. The routes prioritize highways, followed by junctions, and finally rest areas.
Salt's Indispensability in Mild Winters
Maintaining traffic safety on Thuringian highways, even in mild winters, requires the consistent use of salt. Despite challenging weather conditions during the winter service, stockpiles must remain sufficiently large. The 9,000 tons of salt stored in the state's winter service depots are proof of this necessity.
Factors influencing salt consumption during mild winters include predictive maintenance planning, preventive measures, regulatory requirements, and environmental considerations. Salt sourcing is primarily from domestic suppliers, stored in large quantities, and efficiently distributed via multiple depots. Effective inventory management ensures a consistent stock level to maintain road safety.
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