BOULDER, Colo.—Ever wonder why snowplows are never where you're convinced they're most needed at the time they're needed most?

Snowplow operators say they can't be everywhere at once, but they are getting some high-tech help this winter in three states using a new digital intelligence system built in Boulder.





"Whereas in the past, drivers would have some new data maybe every 30, 40 or 50 miles, now you could just look up every mile, and hopefully pick up the more subtle small things that happen on the roadway," said Sheldon Drobot, the scientist who has overseen the system's design.

"We now have an ability to go hyper-local so we can provide this (data) mile by mile, and have an update every five minutes or less, so that's a game changer for us," he said.


"It is creating a smarter snow plow, and that allows them to have a better sense of where they need to put down the chemical salt or other chemicals, and how much as well," he said. "We don't want to coat the road if we don't need to. This will help them be more precise in what they use, and where. So there's a huge environmental benefit as well, and is also less costly."



Ford said her agency is monitoring Drobot's efforts and the U.S. Department of Transportation. She said if they continue to discover new techniques or new methods as part of the pilot program, Colorado will considering putting it to use.