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.
Ari Adler, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Transportation, said Michigan is implementing global-positioning systems technology to track the plows across the state. Right now, that's done by hand. But eventually, we'll be able to do it automatically. Video cameras track cars behind the plow. Snow clouds are often blamed for causing plow-car collisions.