Smart snow clearance with sensor technology
In Västernorrland, a project is underway that will use IoT to make snow clearance more efficient and contribute to increased accessibility in cities.
Heavy snowfall with slippery roads and sidewalks is hardly a dream scenario for anyone. Each year, when slippery conditions make their first appearance of the year, the stream of people making their way to the country’s hospitals with broken arms and legs increases. In Västernorrland, the municipalities are running a joint project focused on snow clearance. Jennie Söderström is the project manager:
– Snow clearance is an issue that really engages people. Many are directly dependent on it working well. It generally boils down to creating accessibility for everyone and keeping the residents of the municipalities satisfied, she says.
Mapping flows and bottlenecks
IoT for Smart Snow Plowing
IoT for Smart Snow Plowing grew out of another IoT Sweden project that deals with accessibility to public space for the elderly and people with disabilities. A key insight from that project is that snow clearance is a critical factor for people who rely on using a wheelchair, disability scooter or other assistive device to get around. The snow clearance project was awarded SEK 5 million in funding from IoT Sweden in the spring.
Project partners for the IoT for Smart Snow Plowing project:
Mid Sweden University, Bron Innovation, Ånge Municipality, Örnsköldsvik Municipality, Starbit, Portalplus, Servanet, Övik Energi, RISE, Pro&Pro.
So far, the project’s work has involved mapping snow clearance operations in the municipalities of Ånge and Örnsköldsvik. Questions that have been analysed are what the flows are like and whether there are any bottlenecks.
– What we can conclude is that a lot of time is spent on visual inspections of various kinds. For example, someone needs to physically go around and see where there is a need for snow clearance, says Jennie Söderström.
Other knowledge gained is that many cases are created for the municipality when snow clearance does not work as intended. People contact the municipality with complaints and comments when the snow is not properly cleared, creating unnecessary administration and case management for the municipality.
Three different application areas for IoT
The snow clearance project will initially use IoT in three different areas. The sensor technology used is based on research developed by Mid Sweden University.
Sensors that measure snow
The first area involves using sensors to analyse snow. The sensors will be positioned on lampposts about 3–4 metres from the ground, and will be connected to a LoRa network. They can then send data on their distance to the snow, which can be used to calculate the snow’s depth.
Route optimisation
The second area relates to route optimisation. This can involve, for example, the best direction from which to plough a road or bike path and where to place the snow piles. Route optimisation is also intended to support in setting priorities, such as public transport routes. Vehicle data from buses and snow clearing vehicles will be used to make these optimisations.
Monitoring of sand supplies with IoT
– Finally, the third area is about using sensor data to ensure that the sand supplies in a municipality do not run out. Municipalities store sand for roads in elevated sand containers. The sensors are used to indicate when the sand is running out. Otherwise, this would have to be done manually, explains Jennie Söderström.
Another challenge in the project is that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused component shortages at several places in the supply chain – something that the technology companies involved have had to deal with.
Snow clearance costs SEK 1.5 billion a year
Snow clearance currently costs Sweden’s municipalities SEK 1.5 billion every year. The aim is for this project to lead to a new and efficient way of working with snow clearance. It is also hoped that the concept can be scaled up, used by more municipalities in Sweden, and even exported abroad eventually. Finally, project manager Jennie Söderström wants to see a real winter this year:
– Yes, we hope for a lot of snow, so we can really put the technology to the test!
