The prototypes may look like the average snowplow, but inside it's a different story. They carry computers, 6-inch satellite dishes, strobe lights, video cameras and tanks with three different deicing liquids, for varying temperature ranges.
Joysticks control the plows' blades.
Global-positioning systems and computer downlinks allow dispatchers to track each truck's location down to the inch and measure how much salt each driver has dumped. Instead of passenger doors, there are clear plastic shields so drivers can see side plows and passing traffic. They pack sensors to track road and air temperature. Speed controllers match the truck's speed with salt dispensation to keep mounds of snow from forming at stop signs. Some prototypes are nearly hands-free.