Mixing with sand reduces the salt's melting effectiveness. Abrasive application Abrasives are usually applied only at hazardous locations such as curves, intersections, railroad crossings, and hills. Rates of 500 pounds to two cubic yards per mile are common. It is important to calibrate spreaders to control application rates. Since abrasives must stay on the surface to be effective, they should not be used when they will be covered with more snow or when they will be blown off quickly by traffic.
Heavy traffic reduces the effectiveness, requiring repeated application.
Storage requirements State regulations also require that abrasives treated with salt meet certain storage requirements. All salt-treated abrasives must be covered from April 1 to October 1 each year. All salt and abrasive storage facilities must be reported to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation which conducts an annual inspection.