Snowdrift replacement - A blowing snow control predictive application

This initiative delivers a powerful, data-driven application that helps transportation professionals proactively manage blowing snow and snow drift impacts on Minnesota roadways. By combining Minnesota-specific winter climate data with advanced roadway design and terrain modeling tools, the solution enables safer, more reliable travel while supporting smarter infrastructure and right-of-way decisions.

For municipalities and transportation agencies, the application provides clear, visual insight into how snow drifts form along highways and corridors under varying conditions. Users can see three-dimensional snow drift profiles based on real-world terrain and wind conditions, allowing them to evaluate and optimize blowing snow control strategies—such as snow fence placement or corridor design changes—before issues occur in the field.

This capability delivers direct value to customers and users by:

• Improving road safety and mobility through better anticipation and mitigation of hazardous drifting snow conditions.
• Supporting evidence-based planning and design, enabling agencies to compare current and proposed corridor configurations and understand their snow-control impacts.
• Strengthening collaboration with landowners, farmers, and planners by providing clear, visual tools to guide right-of-way acquisition and partnership strategies.
• Reducing crashes, road closures, travel delays, fuel consumption, and chloride use, contributing to safer roads and more sustainable winter operations.

Success means Minnesota sets the national standard for blowing snow control, using predictive, integrated tools to move from reactive winter maintenance to proactive, preventative design and planning—delivering a safer, more resilient transportation system for travelers and communities across the state.