So far, the 2014-15 winter has been much milder than last year's, when four significant weather events triggered prompt, proactive road treatments by City of Knoxville crews. 

For the Public Service Department, last season's responses equated to almost 3,000 hours of labor to spread 116,750 gallons of brine, 2,483 tons of rock salt and 7,332 gallons of calcium chloride, which melts snow in colder temperatures. 

David Brace, director of the City's Public Service Department, is relieved that there's been no harsh winter weather yet this year. But he says his crews are ready if it does come. 

"We really haven't had anything this year," Brace says. "We've had a pleasantly slow year from a winter weather perspective, which is good for our customers and our budget." 

Still, the crews with the pre-snowstorm road-treatment expertise and the post-snowstorm road-clearing knowhow - and the stockpiles of salt and brine - stand ready: 

- The City maintains up to 2,000 tons of rock salt on hand for winter events, along with 1,600 gallons of liquid calcium. Pre-event liquid "brine" is produced at the City's Public Works Complex on Lorraine Street, which can store up to 15,000 gallons. It is mixed as needed.
- The City's logistics personnel can quickly reorder salt and calcium throughout the winter as it is needed.
- Up to 180 employees can be summoned, depending on the severity of the weather.
- And there are 21 pieces of equipment that are ready to be utilized if snow and ice threaten to stall motorists. 

The plan governs the City's response to various types of snow and ice events, prioritizes City streets for treatment, and allocates resources to combat winter storms. It also contains descriptions of what constitutes top-priority Level I streets - the ones carrying the greatest volume of traffic or that carry traffic to hospitals - along with maps and a list of frequently asked questions about the City's response to snowy conditions. 

In addition to focusing on keeping main routes open during storms, crews also respond to calls from the Knoxville Police Department, the Knoxville Fire Department and local emergency medical services for needs during inclement weather. 

As weather forecasts allow, City crews pre-treat streets with a salt brine solution, which helps prevent snow from bonding with the road surface and lowers the melting point, prior to snow actually falling and accumulating. Pre-treatment, depending on the weather, can be done 48 hours prior to a snow or ice event, and can be conducted at night or during slower traffic periods.

The four weather events that triggered road treatment last year were: 

Jan. 3-7, 2014 - brine and salt treatment
Jan. 28-31, 2014 - salt treatment, plowing
Feb. 12-13, 2014 - brine and salt treatment, plowing
Feb. 25, 2014 - heavy brining but no salting or plowing