Salt sustainability
Minnesota’s water resources are vital to the people and economy of the State. Even as making roads safe for motorists remains MnDOT’s first concern, all parties involved in winter maintenance must learn to continuously consider the environmental impact and reduce chloride use wherever possible. MnDOT has, and will continue, to take a leadership role in finding ways to meet the public and economic demands for safe winter driving conditions, while optimizing the use of salt.
Best practices
Further training materials
Training and information sharing
- Snow & Ice Event/Bare Lane Training (PowerPoint)
- Environmental Impact of Salt Use Training (PowerPoint)
- Snow & Ice Handbook (PDF)
- Anti-Icing Guide (PDF)
- Snow Plow Operator Training
Equipment training
- Force America Product Training
- Force America 6100 Video – How to Operate (YouTube)
- Force America 6100 Video – Operation Review (YouTube)
- Force America 6100 Video – Software Update (YouTube)
- Snow Plow Component Training (Plow, Wing, Sander, Controllers) (PowerPoint)
- Truck Washing (YouTube)
- Air Foil Design & Installation (PDF)
- Salt Chute Design (PDF)
Calibration of equipment
- Force America Products Calibration
- Force America 5100 Guidance – How to Calibrate (PDF)
- Force America 6100 Video – How to Calibrate (YouTube)
- The Salt and Sander Controller Calibration Guide (PDF)
Decision making
- MDSS
- Online MDSS Usage Training (PowerPoint)
- Online MDSS Usage Video Guide (PDF)
- MDSS Mobile App Training (PowerPoint)
- Decision Making Tools
- Material Selection
- Winter Maintenance Chemical Alternatives Summary
- Winter Chemical Catalog (PDF)
- Winter Chemical Certification (PDF)
- Winter Chemical - Approved Products List (PDF)
Material handling and storage
- MnDOT Salt Storage Management (PowerPoint)
- Salt Shed Storage Guidelines (PDF)
- Stockpile Estimation Guide (PDF)
- Salt Runoff Control at Truck Stations & Bulk Storage Sites (PDF)
- Deicing Production & Storage Tank System Guidelines (PDF)
- Salt Moisture Testing Guide (PDF)
- Environmental Compliance for Storage Tanks (PowerPoint)
- Waste Handling Best Practices
- Salt Brine Making and Use (YouTube)