That’s just one of the many fascinating facts contained in a 28-page, yes, you read that right, 28-page report about snow clearing, generated by I believe Coun. George Affleck’s concerns that bike routes had been ploughed before major arterials in Vancouver during our annual snowmaggedon.
You can read the whole report right here (because really, what else do you have to do on a Friday night?), which even includes very cool pictures of the trucks and everything. Plus maps of the brining routes and an exciting hour-by-hour description the “snow and ice event of December 19th.” Apparently the potential disaster (2-6 centimetres of snow predicted) was anticipated as early as Dec. 17. But let’s get a glimpse of the report, which conveys much better than I can the drama that unrolled.
An updated forecast received at midday on December 18th, 2012, calledfor the potential of snow accumulations from 2 to 6cm between 4am and noon on December 19th, 2012. Accordingly, a Level 3 response was issued, and a total of 10trucks continued salting all major routes,secondary routes, priority bicycle routesalong vehicle travel lanes, and 2 Kubota’s were assigned to salt priority separated bikeways and the Seawall. At a shift change at 7pm, a total of 14 trucks were saltingall major routes, completing one full cycle every 1.5 hours, and ploughing as required.
Wednesday December 19th, 2012While crews continued salting activities fromthe previous day, staff received a specialnotification at 8am that indicated a rain-snow mix at YVR turned to heavy snow.Warmer air that was forecast to move into Vancouver was later than anticipated byforecasters and, as a result, a warming-cooling cycle occurred with resulting snow,freezing rain, back to snow, and so on. The City received an additional 2 cm of asnow-ice mix that was not expected. The City’s response level was upgrade to a Level4 following the advisory and 24 trucks were deployed to plough and salt all major andsecondary routes, with 4 additional trucksassigned to priority bike routes alongvehicle travel lanes. One Kubota was deployed to plough and salt downtown priority 1separated bicycle routes, and another was deployed to clear and salt the Seawall.Although it would normally take 1.5 hoursto complete all major routes, staff reportthat during the event it was taking crews 3 hours to complete the major routesbecause of icy roads and traffic. Secondary routes and priority bicycle routes werecompleted within the normal timeframes. In addition, approximately 50 employeeswere clearing and salting priority bus stops and high pedestrian areas. During the lateafternoon and evening, temperatures climbed to 5°C, which accelerated the snowmelt process. The snow and ice responsewas subsequently downgraded to a Level 3during the 7pm shift change, at which time 20 trucks were salting the major and secondary routes.
BTW, the first priority for the city’s trucks is indeed the 355 kilometres of key arterials in the city. And we could spend more, like Toronto does, if we want to. Out of Toronto’s $87-million snow-removal budget, $34 million is to have non-city ploughs on standby just in case it snows. Montreal contractors must be weeping as they read that.
Okay, that was a little too much excitement for me. Just wondering, though, how much it cost to produce that 28-page report with the maps, graphics, pictures and everything.
33 responses so far ↓
1 neil21 // Apr 5, 2013 at 9:50 pm
[Removed by consensus of the blog and original poster] George Affleck. What a negative, solutions-free waste of everybody’s time and money.
2 Andy Jukes // Apr 5, 2013 at 11:26 pm
This is fascinating. I want to drive a brine truck.
3 brilliant // Apr 6, 2013 at 7:46 am
@Neil21-On the contrary, thank you to Councillor Affleck for pointing out the absurdity of prioritizing clearing bike lanes at the same level as access routes to hospitals!
Meanwhile thousands of pedestrians on major routes risk broken legs etc as the city leaves them at the mercy of small businesses to clear snow in front of their premises.
4 Chris Keam // Apr 6, 2013 at 8:38 am
“prioritizing clearing bike lanes at the same level as access routes to hospitals!”
If you go to page 7 of the report it clearly states that ‘priority bike routes’ are third (last) in priority.
5 Bill // Apr 6, 2013 at 12:34 pm
@Chris Keam
I think you are misreading the report. Top priority includes all three – major routes, secondary routes and priority bicycle routes. They are all top priority so bicycle lanes do get the same priority as hospital routes.
6 Everyman // Apr 6, 2013 at 1:22 pm
@neil21
FaBuland hasn’t descended to the level of using vulgarities, Please don’t take it there.
7 F.H.Leghorn // Apr 6, 2013 at 1:40 pm
What? No Power Point presentation?
8 Chris Keam // Apr 6, 2013 at 1:41 pm
@Bill
I don’t think so. The bike lanes are consistently placed third in each list of the priorities. That, coupled with a modicum of faith in the Engineering Department’s ability to use sound judgement and a look at the amount of equipment dedicated to the three areas to figure out which of the three would be first to get put on the back burner in the event of a real snowstorm.
9 Chris Keam // Apr 6, 2013 at 1:44 pm
Arggh, sorry I put two sentences together and came up with a clunker. Should read:
That, coupled with a modicum of faith in the Engineering Department’s ability to use sound judgement and a look at the amount of equipment dedicated to the three areas is a good indicator which of the three would be first to get put on the back burner in the event of a real snowstorm.
10 Bill // Apr 6, 2013 at 2:49 pm
@Chris Keam,
I have to disagree. Look at the narrative for the three days in December and in each one the three items categorized as top priority are covered off. Nowhere does it state that major routes are covered off first followed by secondary routes and only when these two are covered off are priority bicycle routes cleared. In fact the opposite appears to be the case with all three occurring simultaneously.
11 Chris Keam // Apr 6, 2013 at 2:59 pm
Yes Bill, but the snowfall in question wasn’t particularly large, making it possible to tackle all three priority areas simultaneously. I am confident that the Engineering Department can figure out what’s most important in the event of a real blizzard.
12 spartikus // Apr 6, 2013 at 3:12 pm
Nowhere does it state that major routes are covered off first followed by secondary routes and only when these two are covered off are priority bicycle routes cleared.
Not true. The [extremely exciting] timeline spells out exactly what was addressed first. It’s not a mystery.
13 Bill // Apr 6, 2013 at 4:47 pm
@Chris Keam and Spartikus
From Appendix C pg 1
“Operationally, these routes (bicycle lanes) are treated in conjunction with major routes and secondary routes”
14 Glissando Remmy // Apr 6, 2013 at 4:51 pm
Thought of The Day
“Toronto spends 87$ Million per year on snow removal. True. Vancouver spends $2 Million per year on bike lanes snow removal… the rest of the $85 Million is hidden under Silly Jokes and Misdemeanors.”
First thing first. Comparing Toronto’s yearly snow fall with Vancouver’s, is like comparing the action a whore from Amsterdam’s Red District sees, with a that of 70 years old lady from a Dunbar retirement home, who’s only “high” comes from Bingo.
You are missing the point Neil21 #1.
It’s not the lack of spending that’s bothersome, it’s the prioritizing of that said spending.
Do I need to say more?
George made a very valid point. Where are the priorities in this city? Of course, unless when they are unrelated to Vision’s pet projects?
Why force the majority to pay for it?
Through a FOI request, I found out how the yearly $85 Million is spent. Here are some highlights:
- Ballem, Aufochs & Da Hall Company salaries
- Robertson’s Riot related costs
- Occupy Vancouver redemption
- 6/49 Best of Luck $everance$
- Olympic Village Fiasco Capital + Interest Repayment
- Hootsuite corporate welfare subsidies
- SoleFoods, Car 2 Go, Zip Car, Alterrus convenient “green” investments
… etc, etc,etc…
Vision Vancouver should stop acting like a neurotic squirrel about to shag a bag of acorns.
They have yet to understand one thing.
Not everyone is interested in their nuts, strange things may happen…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0ykM1ALggE
We live in Vancouver and this keeps us busy.
15 spartikus // Apr 6, 2013 at 5:11 pm
Bill, try the third page of Appendix G:
Day 1: 8 trucks deployed to major routes
Day 2: 10 trucks deployed to major and secondary routes. 2 Kubota’s deployed to priority bicycle routes and the Seawall.
Day 3: 14 trucks deployed to major routes. Nothing to bike routes.
Etc…
16 Terry M // Apr 6, 2013 at 8:27 pm
Glissando @14
I could not have phrased it better myself!
And the clip is f&%ing hilarious.
Which one is Vision, LOL!!!!?
17 waltyss // Apr 6, 2013 at 11:52 pm
We can always count on brilliant not for the nasty, and, I hate to say it, stupid comment.
2 guys operating 2 Kubotas somehow interferes with access to hospitals? Which access routes to St. Pauls, VGH or any other hospital were those Kubotas going to plough?
As for pedestrians falling down because two Kubotas are ploughing priority bike routes, spare me. Firstly they could not plough all sidewalks if they wanted to. Secondly, by bylaw, it is the merchants (and home owners) job to plough the sidewalk.
I appreciate you hate bikes, but let’s keep a modicum of common sense here. Please. (Okay, with you brilliant not, I know it’s a pointless request).
As for the NPA troll, well, the late afternoon tokes have kicked in. However, it must be spring because he has switched from his usual wintry fecal references to frisky sexual references. Usual drivel, just different points of reference. I am however confident that the troll is familiar with the sexual allure of a “70 years old lady from a Dunbar retirement home”. We’re left to speculate whether dipping his wick in that well is what keeps him busy.
And of course, the troll demonstrated his familiarity with the Goebbelsian ” big Lie”. Just throw in that the $2 million spent by the city on snow removal is spent on bike lanes snow removal. Before you know it, Terry M and the troll’s other minions will be quoting it as gospel truth. Soon, George Affleck will pick up on it and lo and behold, he will be asking about the $2 million spent on bike lane snow removal.
18 brilliant // Apr 7, 2013 at 8:34 am
Aw, right on cue Gregor’s towel boy shows up.
This might be a little hard for you to grasp Witless but the operators of those Kubotas could be put to work in more important areas, rather than clearing snow for the handful of cyclists riding their poorly balanced machines out in the snow. By chance I was right around VGH on that snow day and the roads were in deplorable shape. BTW the city could easily invest in sidewalk snow clearing equipment rather than leave pedestrians at the mercy of nail bar operators, restaurants that don’t open till lunch etc.
Now run along and attend to Gregor’s sweaty underthings.
19 waltyss // Apr 7, 2013 at 11:06 am
Brilliant not, I guess in your pea sized brain, what you call the handful of cyclists don’t matter. Thankfully you have no say in how the city deploys its snow clearing forces.
If indeed the roads around VGH were in deplorable shape (as opposed to the roads everywhere being in deplorable shape that day), how would 2 Kubotas have solved that if the big trucks weren’t getting the job done?
I have always been an advocate for the psychiatric ward at VGH not letting their inpatients out on snow days. Would have saved you the disturbed thoughts.
And of course, if the city did invest in sidewalk clearing equipment, your cohort would be complaining about how the Vision city government wastes money.
But what else is new, brilliant not.
20 Bill // Apr 7, 2013 at 11:06 am
@spartikus
The “days” you referenced were actually night shifts and the bicycle brigade was deployed every day. Perhaps it’s because no one is using the bicycle lanes at night. Oh wait a minute. If that was the criteria then they wouldn’t be clearing the bike lanes during the day either would they.
21 spartikus // Apr 7, 2013 at 4:01 pm
Incorrect Bill. The timeline describes both night and daylight shifts.
You’re simply not telling the truth, which is a shame.
Here it is in full:
From 9pm Monday December 17th, 2012 to 7am Tuesday December 18th, 2012
Snow and ice response level 2
8 trucks (Sanitation crews) were deployed to salt all major routes, including bridges and priority hills.
From 7am Tuesday December 18th, 2012 to 7pm Tuesday December 18th, 2012
Snow and ice response level 2 upgrade to a snow and ice response level 3 at noon.
10 trucks (Streets crews) were deployed to salt all major and secondary routes. In addition, 2 Kubota’s were deployed to salt priority bicycle routes and the Seawall.
From 7pm Tuesday December 18th, 2012 to 7am Wednesday December 19th, 2012
Snow and ice response level 3
14 trucks (Sanitation crews) were deployed to salt all major routes and plough as needed.
From 7am Wednesday December 19th, 2012 to 7pm Wednesday December 19th, 2012
Snow and ice response level 3 upgraded to a response level 4 at shift change.
28 trucks (Streets crews) were deployed to salt and plough all major and secondary routes. 1 Kubota was deployed to salt and plough downtown priority 1 bicycle routes, and another was deployed to salt and plough the Seawall. In addition, approximately 50 CUPE 1004 employees were shoveling and salting priority bus stops and high pedestrian areas.
From 7pm Wednesday December 19th, 2012 to 7am Thursday December 20th, 2012
Snow and ice response downgraded to a level 3 during 7pm shift change, and then further downgraded to a response level 2 at midnight. 20 trucks (Sanitation crews) were deployed to salt major and secondary routes. Most snow accumulations were gone by midnight, at which time 14 trucks remained to salt major routes.
Viewers at home are encouraged to read the timeline for themselves to confirm the above.
22 Terry M // Apr 7, 2013 at 4:38 pm
W_ss @17
I was about to let your comments pass by me, but then I noticed, that out of the blue you picked on my name… WTF?
You know Waltyss, I thought that you retired from this blog… My bad. Now I suspect your employer locked your computer away throughout the week, understandably smart of them!
I also thought you were clever too! My bad again.
To prove that, here is Glissando’s (your lovely NPA troll) message from a few posts ago.
“Why
Are
Losers
The
Year’s
Silly
Shmucks?
Perhaps
Iconolagny
Suggests
Scatophagous?
Or
Feckless
Fabulist?
!”
I believe that was for you. All I did, was to add an “!” at the end.
Now you go and enjoy that beer, W!
23 neil21 // Apr 7, 2013 at 5:00 pm
@everyman #6 You’re right, and I apologise. Friday evening ‘fatigue and emotion’ got the better of me. Frances, if you have the means to edit, please don’t worry about censorship and do what you will to maintain the required level of forum decorum.
24 Silly Season // Apr 7, 2013 at 9:06 pm
@neil21 #23
PERFECTLY timed! LOL!!
25 waltyss // Apr 7, 2013 at 10:22 pm
Ah, my good friend, Terry M at @ #22.
As your friend, I certainly agree with your self description: my bad.
I have learned so much at the feet of the NPA troll that I want need to share some of it with you.
Fortune
Unlocks
Concealed
Knockoffs
Or
Fools
Fakers
! (I learned this from you. Thank you!)
Aren’t we clever!
26 Bill // Apr 8, 2013 at 8:58 am
@spartikus
“From 7am Tuesday December 18th, 2012 to 7pm Tuesday December 18th, 2012
……In addition, 2 Kubota’s were deployed to salt priority bicycle routes and the Seawall……..”
“From 7am Wednesday December 19th, 2012 to 7pm Wednesday December 19th, 2012
……….1 Kubota was deployed to salt and plough downtown priority 1 bicycle routes,……..”
27 Ned // Apr 8, 2013 at 9:57 am
What a surprise!
Following Neil21 in post No.1 where he liberally used ( at least it was there over the weekend) the complete Gregor Robertson “… hacks” line
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IDcmUQa0WM
as an intro to standing Councillor George Affleck… here comes Waltyss in many, many posts, trying hard to impress the readers with his ‘clever” acrostic and not after insulting mostly everyone who disagrees with the Vision gang. Ha, ha, ha, Walty, playing second mandolin is now your thang?
Regardless, it seems that His Worship taught you well. Drink up!
28 Terry M // Apr 8, 2013 at 11:19 am
Waltyss,
I see a great career for you in late night TV talk shows.
You’d be the perfect replacement for Triumph, the Connan O’Brian’s insult dog.
only in your case it would be… Fabula’s!
29 jenables // Apr 11, 2013 at 2:09 am
Hey, you guys can quibble over the report ask you like. I know what I saw with my own eyes. Broadway was a mess, adversely affecting pedestrians, transit users and vehicles. I turned right onto tenth.. clear as a bell. it would have been amazing if they’d bothered to do that on ” north America’s busiest transit corridor” (I don’t believe that statistic) the * ONE * person I saw riding a bicycle probably really appreciated that though. considering the money to do that comes from all of us, with business shouldering a disproportionate amount, the fair and much safer thing to do would have been to address Broadway first, instead of thinking the vehicles would break the snow down. . after they slide into each other and people are falling all over the road. The city should be working for the citizens, not trying to make our lives harder. ( which it did for virtually anyone not on a bike route that day)
30 jenables // Apr 11, 2013 at 2:10 am
all you like, not ask you like
31 Raingurl // Apr 12, 2013 at 11:39 am
As usual, I’m a little late to the party………….one question………..when did it snow in Vancouver? LOL
32 Bill Lee // Apr 12, 2013 at 5:16 pm
Snow removal: an audio-visual history
Audio slideshow of the evolution of snow removal in Montreal, narrated by historian Robert N. Wilkins. 2 min 12 sec
Slides from the Notman Collection from 1884 to present day with narration.
Includes a Montreal Tram plow!
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Snow+removal+audio+visual+history/7808733/story.html
33 Raingurl // Apr 15, 2013 at 4:18 pm
Can you post an audio visual history of snow removal in Vancouver? hehe Good luck finding one!
Leave a Comment