Horizontal Curves

Appendix 4 - Automated Anti-Icing System in California

Caltrans District 07 is participating in a nationwide evaluation of the FreezeFree^TM anti-icing system. Besides California, FHWA grants were awarded to Maryland, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oregon, and North Dakota for field demonstrations of this proprietary technology.

The evaluation process is under the guidance of CERF, which has developed a formal evaluation plan. Specific information about the evaluation, i.e., type of data collected, etc. should be directed to Amar Chakar or Amer Mohammed.

The CERF web site also gives information about the evaluation.

The California site is on State Route 2, Angeles Crest Highway, within the Angeles National Forest. The highway is two lanes, AC paved on a 200-foot radius horseshoe-shaped curve. The vertical alignment is negative 6% in the westbound direction. The site was identified by Maintenance as being extremely difficult to maintain ice-free. An aerial photograph and field photographs of the site are shown on page 2.

District 7 Maintenance will install the system, which has both flush-mounted and guardrail-mounted components. The system has been purchased and is stored at a Maintenance facility. Difficulty getting telephone service to the site is delaying installation.

Information about FreezeFree^TM technology can be obtained from Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.