Questions for a vendor
| Topic | Question | What a good answer looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | How accurate is the position, in snow and under tree cover? | Stated accuracy with test conditions, not just a headline figure |
| Hazard data | Can it show known hazards, such as covers and curb ends, and who maintains the map? | A clear way to load and update our own hazard list |
| Display | What does the driver see, and does it distract? | A simple display, tested in the cab at night |
| Evidence | Do you have data on strike or damage reduction, and who collected it? | Independent data with method and sample size |
| Cost | What is the price per truck, including installation and subscription? | An itemised quote |
| Support | What if it fails mid-storm? | A fallback and a support number |
| Data | Who owns the data and where is it stored? | Clear written terms |
How to test it
The tool is being tested, not the driver, so the hazard information has to be identical on both sides.
- Baseline: log strikes and edge damage for a season, by route.
- Pick matched routes: some with the tool, some without.
- Give all drivers the same hazard list, so the tool is the only variable.
- Record strikes, edge damage, driver comments and any distraction issues.
- Compare after a full season, not one storm.
What to compare it with
- Cheap measures such as stakes, a hazard map and driver briefings.
- Training and speed rules on hazard-heavy routes.
Limits
I cite no study and no product. The tool may help, but the cheaper measures should be in place first so that you can see what the tool adds.
Decide with the strike log
Set a decision rule before the trial: for example, that you will buy only if strikes fall by a margin your crew agrees is worth the cost, measured against the control routes over a full season. Writing the rule first stops the result from being argued after the fact.
Boundary: No study or product is cited and no strike reduction is claimed; the tool is a hypothesis to test against a strike log.
Further reading on this site.
Carbide vs Steel Blades: The Cost-per-Lane-Kilometre Calculation ↗Cost per Lane Kilometre: The KPI That Makes Blade Choices Comparable ↗Carbide snow plow blades ↗Flexible Carbide Blades: What States Said, Praise and Complaints ↗Ease of Installation Is a Cost: What State Ratings Say About Heavy Blades ↗Gap Analysis: Your Agency Spec vs the Clear Roads Standard ↗
