Outcome Indicators of Snow Removal for Business Promotion Policy

Abstract

Road traffic capacity in cold, snowy regions greatly depends on the snow removal level of service (LOS). Public transportation is scheduled to operate according to demand, so it is reasonable to expect snow removal LOS to change with changes in traffic demand. However, the City of Sapporo applies the same LOS standard throughout the winter, regardless of traffic demand. In Japan, the busiest days of the month for companies tend to be the 5th, 10th and last day of the month. These days (called gotobi in Japanese) are due days for promissory notes and payments to workers and other businesses. Road traffic volume is extremely high on these days, because many business people must make trips to fulfill financial obligations. Transportation systems should be particularly efficient on these days. This study proposes using “winter delay” as an outcome indicator of snow removal, whereby the LOS can be varied by time of day and road location. We propose to set target winter delays using traffic counter data and the results of questionnaires, and to organize and evaluate snow removal management to satisfy business user needs.