NYC Snow Removal and Winter Operations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What type of DSNY vehicle is specially equipped to both plow snow and spread salt in a single pass?
- Rear-loader garbage truck
- Combination plow/spreader unit (Correct answer)
- Street sweeper
- Roll-off truck
Correct answer: Combination plow/spreader unit
DSNY uses combination plow/spreader units that can push snow with a front blade while simultaneously applying salt from a rear-mounted spreader.
Question 2: During a snow emergency in NYC, what happens to regular garbage collection routes?
- They continue as normal
- They are suspended and trucks are converted to snow-removal duty (Correct answer)
- Only recycling is suspended
- Garbage collection is handed to private companies temporarily
Correct answer: They are suspended and trucks are converted to snow-removal duty
During snow emergencies, regular garbage and recycling collection is suspended, and DSNY resources are redirected entirely to snow removal operations.
Question 3: What is the role of a DSNY salt spreader during icy conditions?
- Apply sand for traction only
- Distribute rock salt or brine to melt ice and prevent refreezing (Correct answer)
- Mark hazardous spots with flags
- Compact snow to make driving safer
Correct answer: Distribute rock salt or brine to melt ice and prevent refreezing
Salt spreaders distribute rock salt or anti-icing brine to melt existing ice and prevent refreezing on treated surfaces.
Question 4: How are DSNY snow routes different from regular garbage collection routes?
- They follow the same exact routes
- Snow routes prioritize major arterials and are pre-mapped independently of garbage routes (Correct answer)
- Snow routes are shorter than garbage routes
- Only supervisors drive snow routes
Correct answer: Snow routes prioritize major arterials and are pre-mapped independently of garbage routes
DSNY snow routes are pre-planned based on street priority and traffic impact, running independently from regular collection routes to maximize storm response efficiency.
Question 5: What is 'windrow plowing' as used in NYC snow operations?
- Plowing snow onto sidewalks for pedestrians to clear
- Pushing snow to the center of the road in a row to be picked up later (Correct answer)
- Blowing snow into vacant lots
- Plowing only one lane at a time
Correct answer: Pushing snow to the center of the road in a row to be picked up later
Windrow plowing involves pushing snow from the curbs to the center of the road, where it can be loaded and removed by specialized equipment.
Question 6: What NYC regulation requires building owners to clear fire hydrants of snow within a specific timeframe?
- Within 1 hour of storm end
- Within 18 inches of the hydrant on all sides
- NYC Administrative Code § 16-130 requires access but sets no exact time limit (Correct answer)
- Within 4 hours only if the hydrant is blocked by a plow
Correct answer: NYC Administrative Code § 16-130 requires access but sets no exact time limit
NYC Administrative Code § 16-130 requires property owners to maintain clear access to fire hydrants adjacent to their property, though DSNY and FDNY coordinate enforcement.
NYC Snow Removal and Winter Operations 2
What type of DSNY vehicle is specially equipped to both plow snow and spread salt in a single pass?