IntelliOPS: A new era in data-driven winter services
Winter maintenance operations have come a long way from their early days when tracking was done manually. IntelliOPS, originally launched as DNAS, later known as WinterLogic, marks a significant shift towards data-driven decision-making. The journey began in the 1990s with the development of the Data Navigation and Analysis System (DNAS), which recorded machine settings, salt usage, and spreading routes. With a GPS antenna, it was even possible to record the route driven, which was important to show in case of accidents to prove that spreading had taken place.
Building on this foundation, the system evolved into WinterLogic, offering additional features like wireless data transmission and enhanced reporting. The next leap forward came with the development of IntelliOPS, a cloud-based platform that streamlines winter service operations by offering real-time access to critical data and tools. With IntelliOPS, municipalities and contractors can optimize routes, manage resources more effectively, and benefit from powerful analytics without the hassle of software installations or updates.
Driver Assistance Systems: Revolutionizing winter maintenance
Winter conditions pose unique challenges for drivers, requiring them to navigate icy roads while operating complex equipment. To address these challenges, Aebi Schmidt has developed advanced driver assistance systems that increase safety, efficiency, and accuracy during winter maintenance operations.
Route Assistant: Precision with every move
Route Assistant, formerly known as AutoLogic, acts as a digital co-pilot for drivers, guiding them along predefined spreading routes with accuracy. Unlike typical navigation systems that guide drivers based on the quickest route, Route Assistant automates the entire spreading operation, adjusting settings for spreading width, dosage, and pattern without requiring driver intervention. The first version of this system was launched as early as 2003.
In winter conditions, with poor visibility, inexperience with routes, or crowded roads, errors can easily occur when adjusting the spreader manually. An average spreading route quickly requires 150-200 manual adjustments, which significantly increases the risk of errors. These errors can not only compromise road safety, but also lead to inefficient use of spreading materials. Route Assistant eliminates this risk, allowing the driver to fully concentrate on driving while the system controls the spreading process.
A customer test during the winter season yielded impressive results: on four routes with a standard dosage of 14 g/m², Route Assistant achieved salt savings of 22%, with even a 47% reduction on one route. The system's ability to prevent material wastage became particularly evident in a test where a driver manually adjusted spreading width and dosage. Without Route Assistant, such manual adjustments often lead to overdosing.
ThermoLogic: Smarter salt usage
Another key driver in assistance solutions is ThermoLogic, an automatic temperature-based dosage system that adjusts salt usage based on real-time road surface conditions. The system uses infrared sensors to measure the road surface temperature multiple times per second, automatically calculating the required salt dosage. When road temperatures drop or vary, ThermoLogic adjusts the spreading process, increasing the dosage in colder areas like bridge decks or ramps.
ThermoLogic helps reduce salt usage by ensuring that only the necessary amount is spread, depending on the conditions at any given moment. For example, during a typical spreading route, the system has been shown to reduce salt consumption by 15%, compared to standard, non-dosage-adjusted spreading methods. This translates into cost savings for municipalities and contractors, while also contributing to environmental sustainability by preventing excessive salt runoff.
A smarter future for Winter Services
Aebi Schmidt’s digital innovations have transformed winter maintenance from a manual, reactive process to a more data-driven, proactive approach. With IntelliOPS, Route Assistant, and ThermoLogic, winter service operations are more efficient, safer, and environmentally sustainable than ever before. These digital solutions demonstrate our ongoing commitment to smart technology that enhances safety, reduces costs, and optimizes resource management. We are proud to continue leading the way toward a smarter, greener, and more efficient future in winter road maintenance.