FAQs • Dayton, OH • CivicEngage

Why did you plow me in?: I just cleared my car, sidewalk, and driveway, and then City crews plowed my street and snowed me in again. Why can't snow be plowed toward the center or median of the street?

Most residential streets have only one or two travel lanes, so there is not enough room to plow snow to the middle of the street. In larger storms, it may be impossible to avoid pushing snow onto the sidewalk or your driveway from the street. Please be prepared to clear driveways and sidewalks more than one time to fully clear all snow from your property. Do not shovel snow into the street, or it will just be plowed back again. You can help prevent snow from piling up around your vehicles by removing them from the street before the storm, if possible.

Please assist the Fire Department by digging out around fire hydrants. Please refrain from blocking streets, barricading parking spaces or blocking mailboxes. Keeping streets clear helps Fire and EMS respond to emergencies. Thank you!

▼
Winter Weather

The first priorities are highways, thoroughfares, bridges and streets providing access to hospitals and public schools, and RTA routes.

The next priority consists of hills and collector streets, followed by downtown (Central Business District) streets.

After those priorities are met and when snowfall is four inches or more, residential streets are plowed and/or salted.

2. Why does it take so long to plow the streets?: The City of Dayton is responsible for more than 1,700 lane-miles of roadway. Before, during, and after a snow storm, City crews work around the clock, in 16-hour shifts, using all available equipment and personnel. Still, clearing snow is difficult work that requires crews to adapt to constantly changing conditions. Heavy snow, or even a small accumulation of ice, is very hard on plow equipment and can cause damage to plows that must be frequently inspected and repaired. Please remember that even if your street has not yet been cleared, crews have been working as hard as possible to move through the City's road network.

3. Will my street be plowed next?: The City plows and treats streets in priority order. If the street that was just plowed is at the same priority as yours (e.g. they are both residential), it is likely that your street will be plowed soon. Other factors - such as equipment maintenance, crew shifts, and refueling - may mean that there will still be a delay before crews reach your street. If the first street was a higher priority (e.g. it was a primary route and yours is a residential street, or it was a hilly street and yours is flat), the plow truck may move to another street at the same priority.

4. Why isn't sand used?: Typically, sand is used for traction on steep roadways, not to melt snow, and is used sparingly. Streets receive salt treatment to melt snow or prevent ice accumulation and are then plowed. Heavy use of sand may also cause blockage of storm sewers and buildup along roadways.

5. Why did I see a truck without its plow down?: If a plow is up on a City truck, it may be because the truck is beginning or ending its shift, is returning for fuel or salt, is repositioning from one priority road to another, or is applying salt so that the snow will be soft enough to plow on the next pass.

6. Where should I park?: Whenever possible, please move all vehicles out of parking lanes before the storm begins. This keeps roads clear for plow equipment, reduces the chance of damage to your vehicle, and prevents your vehicle from getting snowed in.

7. Why did you plow me in?: I just cleared my car, sidewalk, and driveway, and then City crews plowed my street and snowed me in again. Why can't snow be plowed toward the center or median of the street?

Most residential streets have only one or two travel lanes, so there is not enough room to plow snow to the middle of the street. In larger storms, it may be impossible to avoid pushing snow onto the sidewalk or your driveway from the street. Please be prepared to clear driveways and sidewalks more than one time to fully clear all snow from your property. Do not shovel snow into the street, or it will just be plowed back again. You can help prevent snow from piling up around your vehicles by removing them from the street before the storm, if possible.

Please assist the Fire Department by digging out around fire hydrants. Please refrain from blocking streets, barricading parking spaces or blocking mailboxes. Keeping streets clear helps Fire and EMS respond to emergencies. Thank you!

8. Who is responsible for clearing sidewalks?: Property owners and tenants are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to properties owned or occupied.

Please help your community by clearing storm drains and fire hydrants adjacent to your home, and do not shovel snow into streets or onto sidewalks. Keeping storm drains clear will help prevent flooding once the snow melts. Read the related City ordinance.

9. How can I stay safe in snow?: During extreme winter weather, the best way to protect your health and safety is to stay prepared and indoors as much as possible. Have food, medicine, and other supplies on hand before a storm that you may need for up to a week. If you must go outside, dress appropriately for the weather in layers. Strenuous physical activity can increase the risk of illness and injury, especially heart attacks.