Though the new PH-410 blades look to be attached at random points, it is actually configured using an advanced algorithm that calculates the best locations for potholes based on the average wheelbase and turning radius of vehicles registered within the county.
A local puddle jumper enjoys a pothole.
SEELEY LAKE - Mud and pothole season is in full swing. The snow and cold weather on Easter had some questioning if winter is really over but at the county shop in Seeley Lake, the atmosphere on April 1 was more like Christmas. Road department workers were eagerly unwrapping and assembling the county shop's latest acquisition, the PH-410 system.
The PH-410 system allows for snow removal equipment to be utilized into the mud and pothole season by attaching three 10 in blades to existing snowplows. An on-board computer with GPS system tracks the blade's location to within a few inches. The blades protrude four inches from the bottom of the snowplow and are used to make perfect potholes, 10 inches wide by four inches deep.
While most drivers find potholes to be a nuisance, the nuances of pothole management can be similar to grizzly bear management. Finding a balance between drivers' desires for smooth roads and traffic control, economic and environmental benefits of potholes can be a challenge.
This new system significantly reduces the labor required to install potholes. Previously, county workers had to manually dig potholes and worked night shifts for fear of being caught using shovels. Even their spouses were not to know of their ability to use shovels.
Not only does the PH-410 reduce the labor of installing potholes, the on-board GPS system tracks all the potholes. By linking to the county's Complaint Department, operators can quickly move the reported potholes to new locations giving the citizens the feeling of power while still maintaining the proper potholes per mile (PPM).
By being able to move potholes regularly the county can also stay one step in front of speeding drivers. When those drivers can't figure out a pattern to avoid all the potholes they slow down and reduce the need for traffic law enforcement.
Potholes also provide a boost to the auto parts and repair industry. According to http://www.pothole.info, motorists spend an average of $377 per year in repairs due to rough roads.
Tracking the PPM is an important part of the environmental benefits of potholes. Much like the beavers do in the wild, road workers play a vital role creating potholes to slow spring runoff. During years of drought, the county can increase the PPM to provide more water storage for fisheries downstream. Nobody likes fishing more than county road workers.
Initially the road department is limited to managing potholes only on county maintained roads. The hope is that with the money saved in labor the county will be able to afford to buy road easements from the state so the county can restart maintaining potholes in places like Dogtown.
To report problem potholes email a complete description of the pothole and your name and contact information to: MCPW@missoulacounty.us
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