In Indiana during the 2008-2009 snow and ice season, the implementation of a Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS) resulted in statewide savings of $9,978,536 (188,274 tons) in salt usage and $979,136 (41,967 hours) in overtime compensation from the previous winter season.
Date Posted
05/11/2010
Identifier
2010-B00633
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Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS): Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) - Statewide Implementation - Final Report for FY09

Summary Information

A Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS) is a tool that utilizes weather forecasts and observations to assist managers in making appropriate decisions to best utilize resources when planning for and treating snow and ice. In 2002, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) joined a new pooled fund study (PFS) group to develop an operational MDSS following the same principles of an earlier FHWA MDSS prototype. INDOT participated in the PFS MDSS field trials that showed significant savings in salt usage. Therefore the INDOT’s Commissioner decided to implement MDSS statewide for the 2008-2009 winter at a cost of $529,000.

The decision to implement statewide during the winter season of 2008-2009 was based on the savings reported by the maintenance units utilizing the program under the PFS and the fact that INDOT was facing declining revenues.

In addition to cost savings on salt usage and overtime hours, MDSS became a powerful management tool improving overall performance. The implementation of the MDSS improved:

  • The ability to specify a desired level of service.
  • The ability to plan treatment recommendations instead of reacting to weather conditions.
  • Consistent and timely information about the activity of individual trucks.

Managers reported saving material and man hours by relying on the information that MDSS provided. By the end of the 2008-2009 snow and ice season, MDSS had helped INDOT realize savings of $12,108,910 (228,470 tons) in salt usage and $1,359,951 (58,274 hours) in overtime compensation from the previous winter season as shown in the table below.
 

Salt Savings Comparing FY 08 to FY 09
FY 08 (Tons)
FY 09 (Tons)
Difference (Tons)
Savings @ $53/Ton
All Districts
558,274
329,804
228,470
$12,108,910
Overtime Savings Comparing FY 08 to FY 09
All Districts
FY 08 (Hours)
FY 09 (Hours)
Difference (Hours)
Savings @ $23.33/hour
226,484
168,210
58,274
$1,359,591


Since winter conditions vary between years, the table below shows the cost savings when normalizing for varying winter conditions. The INDOT realized savings of $9,978,536 (188,274 tons) in salt usage and $979,136 (41,967 hours) in overtime compensation.

 

 

Salt Savings Normalized for Winter Conditions
FY 08 (Tons)
(Reduced by 7.2%)
FY 09 (Tons)
Difference (Tons)
Savings @ $53/Ton
All Districts
518,078
329,804
188,274
$9,978,536
Overtime Savings Normalized for Winter Conditions
All Districts
FY 08 (Hours)
FY 09 (Hours)
Difference (Hours)
Savings @ $23.33/hour
210,177
168,210
41,967
$979,136

 

 

Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS): Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) - Statewide Implementation - Final Report for FY09

Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS): Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) - Statewide Implementation - Final Report for FY09
Source Publication Date
01/02/2009
Author
Tony McClellan, Paul Boone, Melody A. Coleman
Publisher
Indiana Department of Transportation
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