Online Snowplow Tracker allows residents to view snow clearing efforts

The City of Kingston reminds residents of the Snowplow Tracker tool, which allows residents to see snow clearing efforts in real time, and view when roads were last plowed.

A Snowplow Tracker tool was launched in January of this year, as part of the Smart City pilot project. The tracker originally did not map all roads in the city, but the City says this year’s Snowplow Tracker was developed by City staff and is a separate initiative then the previous Smart Cities Pilot. The current Snowplow Tracker for the upcoming winter will see all streets reporting snowplow activity.

Residents can track the progress of City snowplows at CityofKingston.ca/Snow. The Snowplow Tracker, is an innovative tool to help pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists get around this winter, according to a release from the City dated Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020.

“The Snowplow Tracker is an opportunity to see our snow clearing efforts in a new, visual way,” says Bill Linnen, Director, Public Works. “Our crews work continuously during winter weather events to clear over 1,800 km of roads. The Snowplow Tracker allows you to see that progress across the city.”

According to the release, when a plow is in motion clearing roads, it will send frequent location data that will be displayed on the map. The map uses different colours to indicate the last time a road was plowed, showing all Kingston roads and residential areas.

Road plowing is based on a priority system, with main roads being cleared first, the City says in the release. Plows may do multiple passes on arterial roadways and transit routes before moving on to residential areas, depending on the winter weather event.

Residents are invited to review the City’s Winter Maintenance Policy to learn more about plowing priorities.