Critical Aspects and Technology of Fixed Automated Spray Technology System

Abstract

Fixed automated spray technology (FAST) has been used for years in practice and theory both in Turkey and globally as an alternative to conventional method for struggle against snow and ice on highway superstructure. The purpose of FAST system is a proactive approach to reduce or even eliminate the impact of snow and ice factors that negatively affect the skid resistance on highway superstructure. This approach also plays an important role in decreasing the traffic accidents occurring on highways, prolonging the service life of the construction and minimizing the damage to the environment caused by conventional system. In light of this information, in this study, critical aspects of FAST system, its components, technological features, design and installation in terms of environmental factors are investigated. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of the system in struggle against snow and ice have been revealed. As a result, superiority of FAST, which is a product of a multidisciplinary study, in prevention of accidents caused by low skid resistance on the highway for struggle against snow and ice over the conventional methods, economic evaluation of FAST system, assessment of the components as technically, and criteria of determination of FAST components are put forward.