The first snowfall might be still weeks away, but PennDOT has high-tech plans to make winter plowing more efficient.
The new system is designed to not only show where plows are clearing highways but also measure how much melting material trucks are spreading, said PennDOT spokesman Gene Blaum.
"The AVL unit in each truck sends a signal through the cellular system showing where the truck is located and whether or how much material is being spread from the truck."
Drivers will be able to log on to view when major highways are cleared.
"This data will be available to people through the www.511pa website," Blaum said.
For this initial year, only trucks clearing major interstates in the region will be equipped with the system. Blaum said it's all part of a test to streamline Pennsylvania's plowing system and in turn save money.
