The North Dakota Department of Transportation in a continuing effort to enhance the department's snow and Ice Control activity has initiated the development of a MDSS for the maintenance functions within the department. This endeavor is being undertaken through the cooperative effort of a multi-State Transportation Research Pool funded study.

The development of this MDSS will have primary focus towards the department's snow and Ice control activities. The main goal for the project is to develop a decision making tool for maintenance managers and equipment operators to assist them in making the best possible decision relative to treatments for a given event for snow and ice control. As the department experiences turnover, new employees are moving into the management and/or foreman positions. A decision support system can function as another tool to help make better decisions. The system will benefit both new employees and the experienced employees. The system will provide access to maintenance employees for much needed information on weather forecasts, radar imagery, weather alerts, and maintenance treatments.

The traveling public is expecting higher levels of service and demanding extended hours of service. If decisions made will result in the most effective treatment, the service to the traveling public will be enhanced.