News

Rain has been the Achilles heel of the area as of late, but should flurries begin to fall, a hazardous problem on freeways can be snow drifting that creates slippery driving conditions.

Now, in collaboration with Washington State University, a Southern Illinois University Edwardsville transportation engineer will use funding from a $225,000 Illinois Center for Transportation (ITC) grant to recommend the specific design and placement of natural barriers to combat the issue.

“Our research is the first attempt to employ computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models combined with field testing to simulate snowdrift development,” explained Yan Qi, PhD, assistant professor in the SIUE School of Engineering. “We will use numerical analysis and algorithms to solve and analyze fluid flows in order to make our recommendations.”

Trees and plants compose living barriers that when strategically placed can greatly reduce snowdrift. Typically, they are positioned along the sides of freeways at remote areas. The joint research effort also includes a professional company, Sustainable Salting Solutions, LLC.

“The use of living barriers can greatly reduce spending by departments of transportation since they usually spend a chunk of their budget clearing snowdrifts off the pavement to keep roads safe for drivers,” Qi said. “Our recommendations will offer an environmentally friendly, cost effective way to reduce snow drifting.”

Qi’s receipt of the ITC grant marks the second winter maintenance project awarded to the SIUE transportation program. Qi notes this opportunity will strengthen the program’s research capability, accumulate research experience and help the University apply for future related projects both regionally and nationally.