(Council Bluffs) Severe weather has yet to hit the area this winter, but Pottawattamie County Secondary Roads announced new technology to assist travelers when precipitation occurs greatly.
Global Positioning System (GPS) devices were installed inside road graders and plow units for Pottawattamie County Secondary Roads over the summer of 2023. The technology allows department administrators to track the current location of each unit in operation throughout the County. Thanks to a collaborative effort with Pottawattamie County Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a new Snow Event Map will track data provided by the GPS devices and allow travelers to view where assigned County equipment has been during winter weather events.
Tina Treanots, Operations Administrator for Pottawattamie County Secondary Roads, says when inclement weather hits, any updated information we can provide about our roadways can be vital in keeping drivers safe. While this map won’t show specific road conditions, she says it will track where our crews have been and act as a valuable tool for our residents and visitors.
The map is designed to track data automatically when radar detects precipitation. Once activated, map information will continue displaying for 48 hours. While some events may not need tracking, the software’s automation eliminates decisions around when department personnel should activate the technology.
Treantos says this will be highly beneficial during the big snowstorms. Citizens can check their commute, transportation departments at local schools will realize the value – there will be several advantages.”
Secondary Roads department officials credit Jamie Petersen and Chris Nelsen of Pottawattamie County GIS for bringing the large-scale project to fruition.
The Snow Event Map is functional on desktop and mobile devices. To view the map, visit Pr.Pott.Co/SnowEventMap. Residents are also encouraged to stay informed by subscribing to email and text alerts for road notifications at Iceasb.org/road- notifications/subscribe.
