Blast from the Past

Green warning lighting for snow removal vehicles.

In a prior post, I shared information concerning a test evaluation by Ohio DOT seeking to determine if green strobes were more visible in snowy conditions or fog than the amber strobes currently in use universally.  I have no contacts in Ohio Dot so have not seen the results of the evaluation.  Truck & Trailer Specialties provided a green strobe light to Gary and Buzz at the city of Livonia awhile back.  Evaluation of this light has been limited to the parking lot at the Livonia DPW, but early indications are promising.  Per Gary, Livonia will be receiving two new snow plow trucks this year which will be equipped with both green and amber warning lighting, which will allow for a true determination to be rendered.  It will also be interesting as to how visible these lights are during summer road maintenance operations?

There is another obstacle hanging out there before agencies could utilize the green lighting and that is legality.  Michigan Motor Vehicle Code limits Michigan agencies engaged in snow removal or road maintenance operations to amber lighting only.  On a positive note, green warning lighting is not mentioned in the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code so it has not been designated to other agencies.  Stay tuned for more details............