Being a ‘snow fighter’ means overcoming obstacles

Craig Kenyon, Equipment Operator Senior with the District Five Bridge Crew, teaches the snow fighters obstacle course.

By Tim Potter and Kelly Kultala

South Central Kansas and Northeast Kansas

Public Affairs Managers

You could tell Craig Kenyon was proud of the obstacle course for snow-plow trucks.

That’s where KDOT snow-and-ice (SNICE) crew operators learned or practiced skills needed to keep Kansas highways open this winter.

It was part of two days of annual “snow fighters” training, which took place in early November at a KDOT south central Kansas facility in Hutchinson and at the Hutchinson Sub Area yard.

It was the second year the obstacle course has been set up. Kenyon was an obstacle course instructor. “I dreamed this course,” said Kenyon, Equipment Operator Senior with the District Bridge Crew.

On a brilliantly sunny, obnoxiously windy, bitter-cold morning, Kenyon explained that the course is designed to help KDOT drivers get the feel of operating a snow plow in all kinds of situations.

A plow truck maneuvers along the obstacle course at the Hutchinson Sub Area yard.

There were many how-to’s: how to line up the plow as it rolls down the road, how to clear a bridge deck without shoving snow onto traffic below, how to lift the plow before crossing railroad tracks, how to retract the wing plow on the passenger side when encountering a broken-down car on a shoulder, how to be prepared if the plow suddenly snags on something.

The obstacle course was outlined with traffic cones, stretching about a half a mile, round trip. Barrels were used at one spot to simulate a stalled car on a shoulder to be avoided. Trainees also encountered a simulated railroad crossing, complete with an RR sign.

“They (the trainees) enjoy the hands-on,” Kenyon said.

He showed how controls in the truck cab operate the front plow, wing plow and other functions. “There’s a lot of things you need to keep focused on,” Kenyon said.

At other spots, crews learned from other teachers how to mix brine in a brine maker used to treat ice and how to plow wet snow using sand as the practice material.

Equipment Operator Steven Dvorak explained how to service a brine maker. “The really complicated part,” he said, “is when you start shutting it down and you winterize it. Once you get the hang of it.”

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Earlier this fall other areas across the state also underwent snow and ice training in order to prepare for more winter weather this season.  In northeast Kansas, about 40 new employees completed their training.

"Training is very important because the people that are attending are new hires with less than one year of experience and have never done snow and ice removal," Said Brian Hoke, Highway Maintenance Supervisor from Overland Park. "The trainers have many years of experience and enjoy meeting all of the new hires and sharing their experience and information.”

In the classroom training the trainees go over proper decision making and plowing procedures. They learn how to put tire chains on and do a walk around a dump truck with spreader and plow on to make sure that everything is working properly. They go over the different types of chemicals and salt brine that are used to melt the snow and learn how to apply them.

In addition, new employees attend the winter safety class where the District Safety Specialist goes over all the safety precautions of extreme weather conditions, what to wear and how to prepare for working long hours. They also go over the truck and attachments with a mechanic and he talks about common break downs and how some of them could be prevented. The mechanic also goes over proper clean up procedures with the equipment after the snow and ice event is over.  You might think that learning how to clean a snowplow would be easy, however, there are a lot of parts and pieces and nooks and crannies that need to be cleaned out.

Because many of the new employees have never used a torch, which is used to cut off bolts that can’t be removed otherwise, there is torch training which includes the basics of how to use a torch safely.

Many of the trainees had the most fun learning how to scoop up sand and rock with a loader and how to drive a snowplow on a course by pushing a bowling ball into a goal, which requires depth perception and hand/eye coordination.

 Here are some photos from similar events across the state: 

Crews in north central Kansas train on the brine applicator process.

Crews in north central Kansas practice plowing earlier this fall. 

Crews check out the different types of equipment
it takes to fight snow and ice in northeast Kansas.

Crews in northwest Kansas practice loading snow fighting contents like
salt or sand into the dump trucks. 

Crews in northwest Kansas practice loading snow fighting contents like
salt or sand into the dump trucks.

Crews in northwest Kansas practice a driving course during their training. 

Severe Weather Awareness Week: Driving tips

Anyone who has lived in Kansas long enough understands that severe weather can hit fast and it can be devastating. Damaging winds, large hail, flash floods and even tornadoes are common threats that we all know too well.  This week, The National Weather Service is focusing on Severe Weather Awareness Week. 

We wanted to take a moment to share some severe weather safety tips, If you must drive through storms, these tips could help you reach your destination destination safely.

Be Prepared:

The bottom line when driving during severe weather is to be prepared for anything. Before you travel check the weather forecast of your entire route.

If you see darkening skies tune into a local radio station or have your passengers look up the weather on their devices.

Driving in Rain:

Wipers on. Headlights on: This is Kansas law. Protect yourself and others around you. Headlights help increase the chances that you will be seen by other drivers.

Turn on Wipers and Keep Windows Clear: This may be a no-brainer, but a surprising number of people drive with windshield wipers that aren’t at their peak performance. It is suggested to get them replaced every 6-12 months. Use your de-frost function or air conditioner to keep your windows clear of fog.

Be Patient:  Take it slower than usual and give extra room to the drivers around you. Wet roads could cause your vehicle to hydroplane or lose traction.

Turn Around Don’t Drown: During severe weather, flash floods may occur. Never try to cross a flooded road way. The water may be deeper than you think and it is dangerous to try to drive over it. Find an alternate route. It only takes a few inches for the current to take you and your vehicle for an unwanted ride.  Abandon your vehicle if it stalls and seek higher ground.

Turn off Cruise Control:  Road conditions during severe weather are inconsistent. You need to be in control, not your vehicle. 

This is a photo that has been circulating social media.
It demonstrates how important it is to use your headlights.
Looking at this picture, you can hardly see the vehicle
approaching the driver., who also shouldn't have been using
his camera while driving. 

Driving during a hailstorm:

Take shelter:  Don’t leave your vehicle unless you can get inside quickly. The hailstones could cause injury.  If you are near an underpass or bridge it is safe to wait out the hail.

Pull over:  if you are not near any shelter, stay in your vehicle and pull to side of the road.

Driving During High Winds:

Watch for Flying Debris: High winds can pick up items that become dangerous weapons if they should hit your or your vehicle.

Be prepared for wind gusts: If you drive a high profile vehicle such as an SUV, bus, or semi truck, you have a higher risk of being affected by high wind gusts. Consider not traveling in these vehicles if you can avoid it.

Driving During a Tornado: 

This one is easy: Don’t. Never try to outrun a tornado, and don’t drive during one either.  Get out of your car and find shelter. If none can be found, get below the road’s surface and cover your head. A ditch or low area is suggested. Be aware of the water level around you and be on the lookout for flash floods. Never seek shelter in an underpass.

In every weather situation it is best to buckle up - every trip, every time - and pay attention to your environment. 

Winter Ready Wednesdays: Plowing roadways

The average daily value of freight moving across Kansas highways is more than $606 million. What would happen to our economy if those roads were impassable due to snow and ice?

Parts of the state may see some winter precipitation today and KDOT crews are ready to combat inclement weather with some of the strongest winter weather fighting machines around: Snow plows.

KDOT has 591 trucks that can be used to clear snow and ice off of roadways.  Snow plows are a common sight during wintery months. These giant vehicles are essential to traveler safety and for ensuring that commerce continues to move across the 10,000 miles (25,000 lane miles) of the state highway system.

 For a second year, motorists may get a chance to see another winter weather weapon: The tow plow. 

The tow plow is a 26-foot-long, independently-steerable mounted plow that covers the right side of the lane. It allows a single driver to plow two lanes at a time and frees up other crew members who can concentrate on other highways needing snow removal. 

Last year, KDOT tested two of these plows in two different parts of the state. One tow plow was tested in Olathe’s heavy traffic. Another plow was tested in Colby due to its rural area and windier climate along the highways. KDOT has plans to purchase more tow plows in the future. 

Whether or not your area sees snow today, you can be sure that KDOT crews will be ready to operate these hefty machines in an effort to keep Kansas moving. 

As the winter months move in, KDOT will use a variety of methods to clear roads and infrastructure and help Kansans travel safely.  For the next several Wednesdays, we will share with you more ways that KDOT works to keep Kansas moving during inclement weather.

For up to date road conditions, check kandrive.org or dial 511.