Aside from wooden snow fences, why doesn’t WY build snow barriers right next to I-80?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by PE_T, Feb 6, 2020.

  1. seagreg

    seagreg Light Load Member

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    Wyoming typically doesn't close the road until there are several accidents.

    Note that they wouldn't even have as many snow fences as they have if there wasn't a company that replaces the wood every year and sells it as reclaimed barn wood

    The main problem is really just people driving too fast and following too close and other driver errors are the primary cause of crashes in Wyoming.

    If school busses and snow plows can train new drivers every single year in Wyoming without accidents anyone should be able to do the same on I80. Even if they could stop all windblown snow patches you would need to slow down for bridges and black ice.

    FWIW for the most part Wyoming doesn't use liquid deicers FYI. They don't work well in wind or the low temperatures that exist in most of the state. Brine use in high drift/wind locations would require high application rates which actually causes snow to stick to the road surface.

    Outside of ultra high wind events there are two realistic ways that the number of accidents will go down, the first is that companies actually start to teach drivers how to drive in the snow and us drivers slow down and increase our following distances OR the state lowers the speed limits and starts enforcing them with tickets.

    California, Colorado, Utah and Illinois are the top states that are involved in the truck involved crashes in Wyoming and unfortunately there is little the state of Wyoming can do to get those states to improve their driver training.

    Adding infrastructure can help slightly reduce the accident rate but really it is the responsibility of us drivers to up our professionalism to really make the rates fall unless we want to be driving the long 55mph slog across the state again.
     
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  3. PE_T

    PE_T Road Train Member

    Current WY IFTA tax
    402 miles / 4 mpg = 100.5 (gal burned)
    100.5 X 0.24 IFTA = $24.12

    Increased IFTA tax
    100.5 X .35 IFTA = $35.18
    $11.06 difference from current IFTA (402 miles)
     
  4. PE_T

    PE_T Road Train Member

    Some sections along I-80 now have ELD adjustable speed limits. It has certainly helped. They need to install more of those.
     
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  5. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    See my point? Nearly 100% increase difference while doing no more damage to the road than a guy pulling box/reefer freight.
     
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  6. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    glad i retired when i did..!!!!!!!
     
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  7. PE_T

    PE_T Road Train Member

    It seems like IFTA is trying to indirectly enforce EPA goals.
     
  8. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    Nah. Its just an outdated system.
     
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  9. mustang190

    mustang190 Road Train Member

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    4DAE3E5D-56F4-4BD7-B504-4AFDECA7BC71.jpeg
    HOW DARE YOU!!!
     
  10. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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    the more trucks with auto braking systems ,the more snow related wrecks.

    slippery roads and having the brakes come by themselves are a recipe for carnage.
     
  11. PE_T

    PE_T Road Train Member

    I wonder if anyone knows what exactly the IFTA tax is used for other than for road construction and maintenance.
     
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