King County Road Services - 2012-2013 Snow and Ice Plan for unincorporated King County

Identified snow and ice routes

Each one of the eight geographically dispersed maintenance sites has a pre-established listing of roadways to sand and plow. Snow and ice routes are established by the following three-category priority system:

When a snow and ice event continues, identified routes are monitored by maintenance crews on a regular check-back basis. Some roadways may require sanding and plowing as many as six or seven times within a 12-hour shift. Therefore, some routes on the list may not be sanded until major arterials are clear, depending on the severity of the event.

Although it is difficult to utilize crews to sand and plow residential roadways, maintenance crews make every attempt to clear steep access roads in heavily populated areas. Crews also strive to sand potentially problematic or dangerous intersections, curves and steep hills.

King County divisions and equipment allocations

Organization of staff and equipment

The Road Services Division's Maintenance and Traffic Operations section headquarters is located in Renton. This facility provides 24-hour a day, 7-day a week staffing and call-in/reporting services.

Snow and ice operations are based at eight geographically dispersed maintenance sites, including Vashon Island and Skykomish. Each site is managed and maintained by a supervisor and assigned staff ranging from 11 to 35 employees. Each supervisor is responsible for planning, scheduling, and dispatching crews during snow and ice events. The sites are grouped into four divisions and the Maintenance Superintendent is responsible for all divisions and oversees the emergency response effort countywide. Additional support is allocated depending on prevailing conditions. Locations of operating headquarters by division are as follows:

Division boundaries

Division 1

Division 2

Division 3

Division 4

Field offices and sand stockpile sites are located throughout each division to serve the areas efficiently and effectively. King County Maintenance and Traffic Operations also has a Special Operations Unit, which is comprised of crews with countywide areas of responsibility as follows:

• Bridge/facilities maintenance
• Drainage
• Rivers management
• Vegetation management
• Paving

During a major snow and ice event, Special Operations crews serve as supplemental forces and are dispatched to specific pre-assigned locations as needed. These crews provide support to ongoing 24-hour Maintenance and Traffic Operations services.

Snow and ice equipment by division

Each of the four divisions discussed in the previous paragraphs have specific snow and ice removal equipment assigned to the sites. The equipment allocation and assignment is as follows:

• 1 – 5-yard truck with snow plow and sander
• 2 – 10-yard trucks with snow plows and sanders
• 1 – 750-gallon anti-icing chemical applicator
• 1 – alternate sand site
• 2 – prewetters
• 1 – road grader

• 1 – 5-yard truck with snow plow and sander
• 5 – 10-yard trucks with snow plows and sanders
• 2 – 750-gallon anti-icing chemical applicators
• 2 – prewetters
• 2 – road graders

• 1 – 5-yard truck with snow plow and sander
• 1 – 10-yard truck with snow plow and sande
• 1 – 1-ton dump truck with snow plow and sander
• 1 – backhoe
• 1 – road grader with push plow
• 1 – snow blower attachment

• 1 – 5-yard truck with snow plow and sander
• 3 – 10-yard trucks with snow plows and sanders
• 1 – 750-gallon anti-icing chemical applicator
• 1 – alternate sand site
• 1 – backhoe
• 1 – front loader
• 2 – prewetters
• 1 – road grader

• 1 – 5-yard truck with snow plow and sander
• 1 – 10-yard truck with snow plow and sander
• 1 – 1/2-ton truck
• 2 – 1-ton trucks
• 1 – 500-gallon anti-icing chemical applicator
• 1 – alternate sand site
• 1 – backhoe
• 1 – front loader
• 1 – road grader

• 2 – 5-yard trucks with snow plows and sanders
• 4 – 10-yard trucks with snow plows and sanders
• 2 – 750-gallon anti-icing chemical applicators
• 2 – alternate sand sites
• 2 – prewetters
• 2 – road graders

The Maintenance and Traffic Operations facility at Renton also houses the following pool equipment, which can be dispatched as necessary:

• 1 – 10-yard truck
• 4 – 10-yard trucks and trailers for sand stockpiles
• 5 – 10-yard trucks with snow plows and sanders
• 1 – alternate sand site
• 2 – backhoes
• 1 – front loader
• 1 – road grader

Snow and ice operations - four phases

Government agencies within King County mobilize road crews based upon the severity of a snow and ice event. There are four phases of response; procedures, resource allocations, and coordination for a major storm event are listed below:

Phase 1

A severe storm is forecast. At least one to two inches of snow or severe frost are projected with temperatures below 25 degrees. The following steps are implemented during this phase:

• Maintenance and Traffic Operations Section management team, division supervisors, and special operations supervisors are alerted.
• Each division is checked for snow or freezing conditions.
• Maintenance crews prepare equipment for mobilization on previously established snow and ice routes.
• Crews are on 8-hour shifts during this phase. They may be required to work more hours if the phase changes or conditions warrant.

Phase 2

Snow or freezing conditions have occurred. Roads are extremely hazardous due to icing with accumulations of approximately two inches to one foot of snow. The following steps are implemented during this phase:

• All maintenance crews are divided into two 12-hour shifts to provide 24-hour coverage.
• Special operations crews are dispatched as necessary to each division to provide support and expertise.
• Snow and ice teams are assigned specific locations within each division and provide maintenance and support to the established snow and ice routes within those specific areas.
• The Road Services Division Director is continuously updated and advised of maintenance progress or problem areas.
• The Department of Transportation's Public Information Officer is advised of the current conditions and progress.
• All personnel keep detailed records of the lane miles sanded/plowed and the tons of sand and salt used.

Phase 3

Heavy snow continues to fall. The long-range forecast calls for more storms to enter the area with additional snow accumulation up to or greater than 12 inches. The following steps are implemented during this phase:

• Crews remain on 12-hour shifts for 24-hour per day coverage.
• Additional departments within King County are requested to provide support to crews. These departments and divisions may include the Solid Waste Division or Parks Division.
• All available equipment is mobilized and operating 24-hours a day.
• Efforts are made to assist citizens whose vehicles are stranded and present a threat to public safety.
• Emergency services personnel are involved to provide a coordinated response to citizens' requests for assistance.
• Each maintenance division is required to submit frequent progress reports to the superintendent or maintenance manager.

Phase 4

Extreme cold prevails. The snow has reached or exceeds 24-inches, with additional snow in the forecast. The area has been mobilized. The following steps are implemented during this phase:

• Crews remain on 12-hour shifts for 24-hour per day coverage using all Maintenance and Traffic Operations Section personnel.
• All available resources within the King County area are utilized.
• The Department of Transportation may request an Executive Emergency Declaration.
• Private contractors/vendors may be contacted for additional support.

For more information

For more information about the King County Road Services Division Snow and Ice Plan, please contact:

Information from the Road Services Division's website is available to people with disabilities in alternate formats upon request by calling 206-263-6482 or 711 for the TTY relay service.

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