DENVER -- The Colorado Department of Transportation's plan for this winter includes the typical snow removal equipment and products that CDOT has used over the years, with some minor improvements.

"We will operate with the same number of employees and snowplows as we did last year so we can continue to provide the same level of service to the citizens of Colorado," said CDOT Executive Director Russ George. "Safety remains our No. 1 priority and that means our crews will be working days, nights, weekends and holidays during inclement weather to help ensure motorists reach their destinations safely."

This winter, CDOT will have 245 employees working in the Denver metro area. They work in 12-hour shifts and are responsible for 3,850 lane miles of highway. In all, 131 pieces of equipment will be used, including 112 snowplows that apply liquid and/or solid deicers, three 6,000-gallon tankers that apply liquid deicers and 16 brooms to sweep up or pick up material after a storm. Eleven of the trucks are new this year, replacing ones that have been used well past their original usefulness.

In five of the snowplows, technology will help drivers determine the appropriate treatments for a roadway. The Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS) combines advanced weather prediction, advanced road condition prediction and rules of practice for anti-icing and de-icing to generate road treatment recommendations on a route-by-route basis. The goal of MDSS is to provide more effective use of maintenance resources and increase safety, reliability and mobility on roadways.

"The use of our equipment, products and technology truly help us keep the roadways clear of snow and ice, but we still need the traveling public to do their part during a snowstorm," said Roy Smith, CDOT's acting maintenance superintendent for the Denver metro area. "It is impossible for us to be on every road at once, so it is important for motorists to slow down and drive appropriately for conditions. When you encounter a plow on the road, give plenty of room and don’t pass on the right."

Like in past years, CDOT will still continue to use liquid de-icers; Ice Slicer, a solid de-icer; and sand and salt. The two types of liquid de-icers that will be in used this winter are magnesium chloride and cold-temperature magnesium chloride.

Magnesium chloride is effective at pavement temperatures above 16 degrees, while cold-temperature-modified magnesium chloride is effective for pavement temperatures below 16 degrees.

This year CDOT will try a new de-icer product called North American Solar Salt.

"This is a product used in other western states like Utah, Oregon and Wyoming. It is less expensive than Ice Slicer and other states report it is as or more effective in keeping the roads wet," Smith said.

Last year, CDOT used approximately 916,000 gallons of liquid de-icer and over 10,000 tons of Ice Slicer in the Denver metro area. CDOT spent just under $4.7 million in the Denver area between July 2008 and June 2009, which was down 15 percent from July 2007 through June 2008 when CDOT spent $5.5 million.

Current road and weather conditions are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at COTRIP.ORG or on the phone by calling 511.