Thread by @mirgray

Winter Operations has had a challenging winter. 24/7 all hands plus any contractor on approved list plus staff from Parks if they could. #OttSnowChallenge

Standards have not been revised in some years but will be reviewed this spribg/summer. #OttSnowChallenge

The city has 4 weather zones across city. 4 districts, 18 yards. For example Osgoode might have blowing snow while downtown is clear. #OttSnowChallenge

January 2019 was snowest month on record. So snow packed. They never got to bare pavement. #OttSnowChallenge

The Februrary brought rain, thaw and then freeze. Once sidewalks are covered in solid ice, adding traction is about all snow operation can do. #OttSnowChallenge

@MathieuFleury Will these slides be posted on Urban Councillor pages or somewhere?

This part is numbers. Let me summarize: they threw everything available against tough conditions. This type of winter with thaw and wet followed by deep freeze is very hard to manage. #OttSnowChallenge

Roads are categorized. Each category has a priority. Extreme events (25+ cm storms back-to-back) means they focus on major roads first. They also switch to emergency operations.
#OttSnowChallenge

Our Winter Maintenance Quality Standards are approved by council. Apparently we have higher than minimum standard set by province. #OttSnowChallenge

There are 5 roadway classifications for winter maintence. Eg Class 1 - 174. Classes 1 through 3 get service as snowfall starts. For class 1, they are to be at bare surface 2 hours after storm ends. #OttSnowChallenge

Class 4 standard is clear middle. Your residential street is class 5. The standard for 7 cleared at 7 cm start of deployment. 10 hours to high standard. #OttSnowChallenge

For big storms, they must continue to maintain class 1 and start class 5 as equipment is available. #OttSnowChallenge

Sidewalks have their own 5 categories. Deployment starts at 5 cm for highest priority. 12 hours to hit standard after the end of storm. #OttSnowChallenge

Staff believe goals / standards are achievable OUTSIDE extreme events like we saw in February. #OttSnowChallenge

The #OttSnowChallenge slides and info will be sent to those who registered for Urban Ward Snow meeting. Also information on standards is already on #Ottawa website.

.@JLeiper mentions he believes there is momentum around entire council to make sure Winter Operations has tools and funding they need. #OttSnowChallenge

We are into Q&A. I'll tweet answers mostly. #OttSnowChallenge

If you have concerns about winter operations, reach out to your councillor (not during a storm). The planning / budgeting planning happens out of winter season. #OttSnowChallenge

The question format is 3 question then a series of replies from councilors and staff. #OttSnowChallenge

For example in this group:
1. Do you have sidewalk plow width standard so wheelchairs can pass?
2. Is there aClimate change stratgey group?
3. Is about entire snow budget. Is it enough?
#OttSnowChallenge

Yes, plowing starts wide enough for wheelchair but heavy snow can crowd in. Environment committee is climate strategy group and Winter Operations are included. Budget was set higher than last year but it has been an exceptional winter. #OttSnowChallenge

Staff ask to clarify: they have authority to spend to maintain public safety standards. So they already know they will be over the budget for this year. #OttSnowChallenge

Winter Operation and OCTranspo seem to share a problem. We need Ottawa city storytellers to explain city work outside these meetings. A "Share Your Work" video series. #OttSnowChallenge

Comment from an injured walker: Does city collected data on injuries? Does anyone look at cost to Ontario Healthcare to make case for more funding to prevent injuries? (She needed 5 person surgical team but after care.) #OttSnowChallenge

Perhaps a special discussion on #OttSnowChallenge for those with mobility challenges would have been in order.

Weird #OttSnowChallenge thoughts: having every grade 2 class run a weather station.

Lots of clapping on parking bans. @JLeiper suggests this will be critical issue during the upcoming review. #OttSnowChallenge

A shoutout to ParaTranspo drivers who went the extra mile by shoveling snowbanks to get riders safely to sidewalks. #OttSnowChallenge

Random #OttSnowChallenge thought: we need easy to deploy sidewalk count device. Some people have commented that sidewalk may be in higher use than category class they are lumped into.

Amazing detail. Some sidewalks have objects so in the way, they can't be plowed. Winter Snow Operations has teams which come and shovel them by hand. (Curious how those spots met accessibility standard in any season.) #OttSnowChallenge

Sidewalk classes are currently categorized by the roadway. This issue will be examined in Standards review process. #OttSnowChallenge

Sidewalk blowers can't go to bare pavement. So they are typically followed by a sidewalk plow. #OttSnowChallenge

Details on review process will start with motion at next Transportation budget. It will outline consultation process. BUT no current funding to do review. They will ask for funding in 2020 budget. #OttSnowChallenge