Racine County, Wis., and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) have installed a remote-controlled de-icing system on one of the state's bridges. The ongoing pilot program is allowing WisDOT and the county to compare the system's performance to traditional methods of controlling snow and ice.

Racine County primarily uses a truck-mounted spray unit to distribute magnesium chloride on its streets and bridges. However, the chemical is dispersed unevenly, depending on the speed of the truck. Additionally, the county cannot ensure timely chemical application on remote roads. Seeking a solution to both problems, the county joined with WisDOT and Energy Absorption Systems, a division of Chicago-based Quixote Transportation Safety, to test a remote-controlled system that dispenses a de-icing agent from a stationary position.