WTI

Laboratory Testing of Mixed Liquid Deicers and use of Multiple Performance Characteristics for Deicer Selection/Design - UTC

Primary Investigator Contact Information

External Project Contact(s)

Report(s)

1. A Multi-Criteria Decision Making Approach to the Formulation and Selection of Anti-icing Liquids
   1. Xianming Shi, Michelle Akin
   2. 4W2480_Final_Report.pdf

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to establish a decision making process to assess deicer performance and impacts, based on a robust set of laboratory testing procedures.

Project Abstract

In northern states and other parts of the world, the use of chemicals for snow and ice control operations has raised concerns about their effects on motor vehicles, the transportation infrastructure, and the environment. Some products for snow and ice control may cost less in regard to materials, labor and equipment, but cost more in the long run as a result of their corrosion and environmental impacts. Therefore, an asset management perspective should be utilized to ensure that any cost savings of winter maintenance practices would not be at the price of deteriorated infrastructure, impaired environment, or jeopardized traveler safety. The crux is to strike the right balance in meeting multiple goals of the highway agency, including safety, mobility, environmental stewardship, infrastructure preservation, and economics. While there is an increasing amount of information available regarding various aspects of deicers, how to use the information is a challenge for winter maintenance decision makers. This project addresses research needs identified by winter maintenance professionals through previous projects and outreach with the Clear Roads pooled fund initiative, the National Winter Maintenance Peer Exchange, the Pacific Northwest Snowfighters Association and the Transportation Research Board Winter Maintenance Committee. Specifically, this research will establish and demonstrate a methodology consisting of various laboratory tests of deicer performance and impacts in order to generate data to be used in a multi-variable objective optimization process. The research will also illustrate how local priorities (e.g., weights placed on the various deicer performance and impact parameters) can be incorporated and optimized in the systematic approach. Such knowledge will demonstrate the feasibility of a new decision making process for transportation agencies and help them in selecting or formulating their snow and ice control chemicals.

Task Descriptions

1. Data Analysis and Optimization
   1. The research team will analyze and model the data obtained from the various laboratory tests using artificial neural networks (ANNs) and response surface methodology (RSM). Researchers will calculate a deicer composite index for each deicer formulation, using decision weights recommended by users and attribute values indicating the specific formulation’s performance or impacts. The indices will form the basis of a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) process that winter maintenance agencies can use to formulate or select appropriate deicer products.
2. Final Paper and Outreach
   1. Researchers will prepare a final paper that summarizes the research and findings, which will be submitted for publication or presentation at national conferences. The team will also conduct outreach activities to the winter maintenance community, which aims to build on the success of this project and further advance the knowledge base needed to improve this MCDM process.
3. Laboratory Investigation
   1. Researchers will use several laboratory tests to quantify the performance and impacts of identified deicers, including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to quantify the thermal properties of deicers, electrochemical testing to measure corrosion, freeze-thaw tests to evaluate the impact of deicers on concrete, and tests to examine the potential damage of moisture and deicer on asphalt binder and asphalt mixtures.
4. Project Management
   1. This task covers project management activities throughout the duration of the project, including budget and staff management, communication and outreach, and preparation of deliverables.
5. Design of Experiments
   1. The research team will design experiments to illustrate the complex relationship between the composition of the blended liquid deicers and their performance and impacts. After collecting and analyzing initial data, researchers will use the findings to design a refined and more in-depth investigation.

Milestones, Dates, Schedule

Student Involvement

True

Relationship to Other Research Projects

True

Technology Transfer Activities

True

Transportation Research Board Keywords

Winter maintenance best practices, snow and ice control operations, deicer performance, multi-criteria decision making

Partners

Research and Innovative Technologies Administration, USDOT