NYC Snow Removal and Winter Operations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which NYC agency leads snow removal operations on city streets during a blizzard?
- NYPD
- DOT
- DSNY (Correct answer)
- OEM
Correct answer: DSNY
DSNY leads snow removal operations on NYC streets, deploying its fleet of plows and salt spreaders to clear and treat roadways during winter storms.
Question 2: What chemical does DSNY primarily use to treat icy streets during winter operations?
- Sand
- Rock salt (sodium chloride) (Correct answer)
- Calcium carbonate
- Liquid potassium
Correct answer: Rock salt (sodium chloride)
DSNY primarily uses rock salt (sodium chloride) to de-ice NYC streets, often pre-treated with brine for faster effectiveness.
Question 3: What does 'pre-treatment' mean in DSNY's winter operations context?
- Clearing streets before the storm hits
- Applying salt brine to roads before snowfall begins to prevent ice bonding (Correct answer)
- Warming up vehicles before deployment
- Inspecting roads for potholes before winter
Correct answer: Applying salt brine to roads before snowfall begins to prevent ice bonding
Pre-treatment involves applying liquid salt brine to road surfaces before snowfall to prevent ice from bonding to the pavement, making post-storm plowing more effective.
Question 4: Under NYC's snow response plan, what does 'Level 3' storm designation typically indicate?
- Light flurries requiring monitoring only
- A moderate storm requiring partial deployment of equipment
- A severe storm requiring full mobilization of all DSNY resources (Correct answer)
- A post-storm cleanup phase
Correct answer: A severe storm requiring full mobilization of all DSNY resources
A Level 3 snow emergency in NYC signals a severe storm requiring full mobilization of all available DSNY plows, spreaders, and personnel.
Question 5: What is the minimum number of inches of snow that triggers a DSNY Snow Alert, activating plow deployment?
- 1 inch
- 2 inches (Correct answer)
- 4 inches
- 6 inches
Correct answer: 2 inches
A DSNY Snow Alert is typically declared when 2 or more inches of snow are forecast, initiating plow and spreader deployment across the city.
Question 6: During a NYC snow emergency, which streets receive priority treatment first?
- Residential side streets
- Highway and bridge approaches, then arterial roads (Correct answer)
- School zones first
- Streets near city hall
Correct answer: Highway and bridge approaches, then arterial roads
DSNY prioritizes highways, bridge approaches, and arterial roads first during snow emergencies to maintain critical traffic flow before clearing secondary streets.
NYC Snow Removal and Winter Operations 1
Which NYC agency leads snow removal operations on city streets during a blizzard?