Visibility Improvements with Overplow Deflectors during High-Speed Snowplowing

Abstract

Windtunnel and field experiments are presented to quantify visibility improvements with deflectors that were placed over the top of snowplow blades and were designed to reduce airborne debris. Windtunnel measurements provide the influence of overplow deflectors on the distribution of debris around the truck. Road tests on airport taxiways and highways show that the visible area of the plow truck increases by about 50% for following traffic and that snow debris, which blows over the top of the plow, is eliminated with trap angles less than 50°.