Why doesn MassHighway use more sand?
Our experience, and the body of research on the use of sand, indicates the benefits of abrasives (sand) applied to roadways are very minimal. Abrasives are easily displaced from the roadway by traffic and they have no ice melting properties. There are also negative environmental consequences such as air pollution and siltation of waterways. When you consider the cost of the material from purchase, storage, and dispersal; through removal, clean up, and disposal; it is not a cost effective material for snow and ice operations.
