Historical Study in Civil Engineering on Snowy and Icy Road Maintenance

Abstract

Japan had significantly enhanced snow-removal operation with focusing on improving and spreading mechanized snow-removal works and extending its treatment length. On one hand, environmental impact caused by studded tire dust became a serious social issue since the late 1970's. Through the partial restriction of the studded tire use by local ordinances, this led to the implementation of the “Law for the Prevention of Studded Tire Dust” in 1990, which prohibits the use of studded tires under any circumstances. As a result of the law enforcement, it has greatly reduced environmental impact caused by studded tire dust. At the same time, however, making roadways extremely slippery, which could not be expected before the regulation was adopted, leads to increase the importance of road surface maintenance. So, with giving priority to surface maintenance over winter roadway projects, in addition to traditional snow-removal works, the studded tire regulation was a major turning point in the history of civil engineering. This paper discusses necessity for theoretical and comprehensive policy evaluation and accomplishment of accountability on snowy and icy road maintenance, considering negative effects suchas increased winter accidents, worsened winter traffic pattern and increased amount of deicing agent use.