The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is testing new GPS technology in Southwest Michigan to help the public track of what major roadways snowplows are working on this winter.
Using GPS technology, members of the public will be able to see the location of plow trucks and where salt is being applied on the Mi Drive website at www.michigan.gov/drive.
Under certain conditions, the public will be able to see the location of each plow truck on the Mi Drive map when they are traveling faster than 10 mph and are within 50 feet of the roadway. Those visiting the site will be able to see if the plow is down and if salt is being applied. Camera images will be available for some of the plows.
MDOT’s Southwest Region will be the focus of the new pilot program. The Southwest Region was chosen to pilot the program because of the region's strong winter weather storms earlier in the season, as well as its high concentration of MDOT maintenance forces.
The pilot program will be evaluated toward the end of the winter season. There is potential for future statewide application.
