Equipment Repurposing

About the Program

Category: Transportation (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

Wayne County is responsible for the removal of snow and ice from 2040 miles of Interstates, Freeways, Primary, and local roadways. The County utilizes a fleet of 158 snow plow vehicles, varying in size, to clear these roadways and keep its motorists safe. Each piece of the equipment necessary for the effective completion of this task is expensive and has its own purpose, as well as its own life cycle. By assessing the use and life cycle of existing equipment, the Wayne County Equipment Program was able to find creative ways to give new life to obsolete equipment and to get more use out of seasonal equipment. Two tankers in the fleet were identified and converted to be able to apply a salt brine solution onto the roads when the County was anticipating a storm. The first unit was a 2,000 gallon spray truck that was used by the Forestry Unit to spray herbicides. Since this service was discontinued, the truck became obsolete. The second unit was a 3,300 gallon flusher tanker that is used for the sweeping operation that is idle during the winter season. The conversion for this tanker allows the unit to be used to both sweeping and winter maintenance. Through the conversion of these two pieces of equipment, the County spent approximately $20,000, whereas purchasing two entirely new trucks would have cost between $250,000 and $400,000, a minimum savings of $110,000 per truck. This could result in $210,000 savings for taxpayers. Further, these two repurposed units have increased the delivery capacity of the solution; reduced overtime cost for snow events; and reduced accidents and improved safety on the winter roads.