Hampshire County Council rolls out smart salting technology

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 11:57 · Archive

Hampshire County Council is introducing auto-salting technology across its gritting fleet to spread salt more precisely and reduce waste.

Hampshire County Council has introduced new auto-salting technology across its gritting fleet for the winter season. The smart system uses satellite navigation and pre-programmed routes to automatically control where and how much salt is distributed, aiming to improve safety and reduce waste.

The council's gritting fleet comprises 40 vehicles and four reserves, operated by more than 80 trained drivers. Around 19,000 tonnes of salt have been stockpiled across depots across Hampshire, with supplies monitored and replenished throughout the season. Gritters focus on approximately 1,560 miles of 'Priority One' roads, which represents around 30 per cent of the county's entire highway network and the busiest routes serving key services and communities.

Cllr Steve Forster, executive member for highways and passenger transport, said the technology is designed to support gritter drivers by 'ensuring salt is applied with more precision while allowing drivers to focus fully on the road ahead'. He added that this forms 'one important part of a wider winter service that is geared to manage whatever the season throws at us, whether that's icy roads, snow, storms, fallen trees or other weather-related disruption'.

By removing the need for manual control, the council says the technology improves safety for drivers and reduces salt wastage. In addition to road salting, more than 4,000 community salt bins have been positioned across the county to help residents treat neighbourhood roads and pavements.

How it is being reported

• Hampshire rolls out smart gritters to improve road safetyA new smart auto-salting system is being rolled out to improve road safety this winter.Southern Daily Echo · 14 Nov, 03:30
• Council unveils smart gritting system to spread salt more precisely on key routesThe smart system helps to spread salt more precisely to keep key routes clear and reduce waste.Basingstoke Gazette · 13 Nov, 15:02
• Council introduces smart salting technology across fleet of 40 grittersThe smart system helps to spread salt more precisely to keep key routes clear and reduce waste.Romsey Advertiser · 13 Nov, 14:57

In this story: Hampshire County Council · Steve Forster · Hampshire

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