Boone County crews keep roads treated, use app to help emergency efforts

Boone County Public Works crews are using technology to help them be more effective when it comes to clearing roads.

The department began pre-treating roads early Friday with a full crew of 16 dump trucks and other specialty vehicles dropping salt to keep moisture off the roads and add traction for drivers.

New technology in the form of the Snow Fighter Viewer app is also being used by the crews. The app was implemented last year but there have been some improvements made this year to make it more efficient.

The app allows anyone with a computer or mobile device to see the location of public works crews while they are out treating the roads. The app also allows snow shift supervisors to manage crews out in the field while being more mobile.

“We’ve got iPads now, so we can actually be out mobile and look on the iPad and follow what’s going on,” road superintendent Bryan Boyce said. “Of course with mobile phones and two-way radios, we’re not actually locked to staying in the building during a snow storm. We can actually go out and visually look at the conditions of the road.”

The app can also be used to help dispatch public works crews to emergency situations where firefighters or police may need help getting a road cleared.