Snow Removal at SLC | Keeping Runways Safe and Efficient
While Utah’s claim to fame is having the “best snow on earth,” it’s critical for the Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) to strive for the “best snow removal on earth.” Keeping the taxiways and runways safe in any condition is a top priority at SLC, which involves pre-treating and clearing snow and ice from the airfield. It’s a big task but SLC is up to the challenge and Utah’s famous powder doesn’t stand a chance with the airports’ snow removal team.
More than Plowing
Not only does the snow removal team plow and blow snow, but they also pre-treat the ramp, taxiways and runways to prevent snow and ice from adhering to surfaces. Crews spread three types of materials on the runways—potassium acetate, a liquid runway deicing fluid; sodium formate, a solid ice and snow melt; and sand if temperatures are very low. Pre-treatment alone can be enough on light snow days to keep the runways clear and safe.
The “Best Snow on Earth” Can’t Best SLC
In addition to pre-treating the airfield, SLC’s snow removal team must be ready at a moment’s notice to plow and blow snow. When snow is in the forecast, members of SLC’s maintenance and operations departments assigned to the snow removal team are on standby to treat and remove snow from the airfield.
When it’s time to drop the plows, the snow removal team splits into three crews. Two crews operate a plethora of heavy-duty equipment: six plows, two blowers, one liquid treatment truck and one solid treatment truck. And the third crew, designated the “high-speed” crew, operates three to four plows and one blower, prioritizing the high-speed exits of the runways. These crews can clear a runway, including all of the exits, in about 30 minutes.
Plows, Blowers and Brooms—Oh My!
To clear a runway, all six plow trucks cover the width of the runway in a staggered formation. Each truck has a 22-foot-wide blade with a rubber bottom to avoid damaging lights on the airfield. But because of the rubber bottomed blades, not all snow and ice are removed by the plow. To remove the remaining snow and ice, each plow truck has a broom that unfolds and extends. These 20-foot-wide brooms are equipped with steel bristles, enabling them to clean up snow left behind by the blades without damaging the lights.
Following behind the plows are the blowers to ensure that any drifts left by the plows are safely blown away from the runways. Each blower is able to move up to 106,000 pounds of snow per minute. After the blowers, the remaining trucks spread pre-treatment materials.
Keeping SLC Safe
In addition to the airfield, the snow removal team also keeps the airport’s roads, sidewalks and parking lots clear. Small trucks and tractors with plows and blowers are able to perform these duties, enabling passengers to come and go from the airport safely. The team also pre-treats sidewalks and roads with salt. SLC’s snow removal team is meticulous in its work to ensure that all aircraft can safely take-off and land, no matter the weather.