Preventing Slippery Conditions
What is it?
The winter road maintenance season runs from November 1 through the end of March. During this period, the municipality is required to address icy conditions and therefore has a team on standby day and night. In this way, the municipality aims to keep the roads as accessible as possible for emergency services, public transportation, residents, and visitors to the municipality.
How does it work?
The municipality will spread grit when information from the Meteogroup indicates that slippery conditions are expected. The municipality will then spread grit along the designated routes. The municipality stays in contact with colleagues and also monitors outdoor conditions, which help determine how and when to spread salt. For example, it is not effective to spread salt before a rain shower because the salt will be washed away and will not be compacted by foot traffic or vehicle traffic. In addition, road users should always be aware of slippery conditions. Even after gritting, the road may still be slippery due to wet sections freezing over. During snowfall, snowplows are used. The snow is then pushed to the side of the roadway. This does not always produce the desired effect, particularly on narrow bike paths.
The municipality clears the designated routes (link to map). If these routes are passable, the municipality will then clear (only during regular working hours) other areas such as the vicinity of nursing homes and shopping centers, intersections, bus stops, and various bridges. The gritting routes are organized so that every resident can reach a gritted route within a reasonable distance from their home.
What should I do?
You can help keep public roads passable. Keeping the sidewalk in front of your home clean is also your responsibility. If you’re unable to do this yourself, ask your neighbors to help you.
The following tips can help you combat icy conditions around your home:
- Be sure to stock up on salt for your own use well in advance. Most gas stations and home improvement stores sell road salt.
- First, shovel away as much snow as possible, and then sprinkle some salt on the path.
- A little bit of salt sprinkled on it is often enough. So you don't have to go and pour out the whole bag of salt right away.
- Sweep your garden path and the sidewalk in front of your home to remove small puddles of water. This will prevent them from freezing and help avoid potential slips and falls.
- If there is packed snow or ice on the path, it's better to make it less slippery by spreading sand. Salt and sand are the ideal combination for both melting the ice and making the surface less slippery.
- Park your car as close to the curb as possible, and not halfway on a bike path. Otherwise, it will be impossible for the snowplow to spread salt and/or clear the snow properly. You can also help by not parking on curves or at street corners. This makes it easier for the snowplows to maneuver through the streets and helps prevent damage.