Patent ID: 6154699
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: E01C,E01H

Abstract:
A gritting method in which a vehicle including gritting apparatus travels a route along a road and disperses grit, or other material adapted to prevent or reduce ice formation on the road in accordance with a gritting routine, the method comprising steps of:progressively determining and monitoring a location of the vehicle along the route using a positioning system to generate monitored position data substantially continuously or regularly;comparing, using an information processor, the monitored position data with stored route information comprising data indicative of varying location-dependent gritting requirements for the route;generating a gritting instruction in dependence on the comparison, to control one or more adjustable parameters of the grit dispersion in a manner appropriate to the gritting requirements at the vehicle's position; andprogressively storing grit dispersion data indicating the status of one or more of said adjustable parameters of the grit dispersion in conjunction with the corresponding position data, as the vehicle travels.