City of Ottawa expands sidewalk salting controller pilot project

Salt on an Ottawa sidewalk. Jan. 14, 2025. (CTV News Ottawa)

The City of Ottawa says it has expanded a pilot project to test sidewalk machine salt controllers to better monitor salt use.

The project began last winter with three sidewalk salters, but it has quadrupled in scope this winter, with 12 machines testing the new devices.

“The pilot introduced Ground Speed Oriented Electronic Controllers with AVL/Wireless Data Transfer Technology on sidewalk spreaders. These controllers monitor and adjust salt application rates in real-time based on vehicle speed and surface conditions, ensuring precise calibration and optimal use,” said Program Manager of Operational Research & Projects Christopher Paquette in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.

“Equipped with GPS and automated reporting capabilities, the controllers improve operational control and provide valuable real-time data.”

Paquette said the pilot project is testing four different controller options, including Bosch Rexroth, Ace Electronics, Parker Hydraulics, and Epoke TP3 Combi systems.

“These technologies, some previously successful in European markets, offer a unique opportunity to address Ottawa’s specific winter maintenance needs,” he wrote.

Benefits of the technology include reduced environmental impact through minimized salt use, enhanced operational control and reporting accuracy, cost savings and more effective resource management, and consistent service delivery across the city’s pedestrian network, Paquette said.

So far, it appears salt use in Ottawa is higher than the previous two winters.

According to data provided by the City of Ottawa, the city has used 51,530 metric tonnes of salt between Dec. 1, 2024 and Jan. 6, 2025. In the same period in the winter of 2023-24, the city used 15,253 metric tonnes of salt, but in 2022-23, it used 50,043.

“There are multiple factors that contribute to the amount of salt and calcium chloride used each season, including the amount of snowfall, freezing rain, freeze-thaw cycles, and the duration of each of these weather events,” Paquette said.

Salt dumps in bus shelters not in line with procedure: OC Transpo

Some residents of Ottawa have noticed large dumps of salt within OC Transpo bus shelters at some stops.

Pictures posted to the social media platform Bluesky showed some shelters blanketed with salt.

OC Transpo spokesperson Katrina Camposarcone-Stubbs said this was not in line with its salting procedures.

“OC Transpo is responsible for the salting of bus loops at stations, bus stations, park and rides and bus shelters,” she wrote in a statement to CTV News Ottawa. “We acknowledge that this instance does not align with our operating procedures. We will review with staff to prevent reoccurrence.”

Camposarcone-Stubbs said several parties are involved in the winter maintenance of different transit facilities.

“The application of salt on sidewalks and roads is funded and maintained by the City’s Public Works Department. Rail stations are maintained by external partners. Line 1 stations are maintained by Rideau Transit Maintenance, Line 2 and Line 4 stations are maintained by TransitNEXT,” she said.

“The amount of road salt applied varies depending on both the current and upcoming weather forecast. For example, more salt will be applied in anticipation of freezing rain for a flash freeze than for a traditional snowfall. The application of salt and grit considers factors such as upcoming weather forecasts, the anticipated customer foot traffic, and the specific layout of transit stations.”