As winter fast approaches, the Côte-d'Or is preparing to face the vagaries of the weather with a winter service system at the cutting edge of innovation. This morning, at the Traffic Information and Management Center, François Sauvadet, president of the Côte-d'Or Departmental Council, presented the measures that will be implemented for the 2024-2025 winter season, reaffirming the commitment of the department to guarantee the safety of users and the fluidity of travel on the 5,710 kilometers of departmental roads. Between November 15, 2024 and March 17, 2025, the department will be able to count on a system reinforced by new technologies and increased mobilization on the ground.
Reinforced means for the safety of motorists
Each winter, the Côte-d'Or department improves its winter service system to best prepare the roads for the arrival of cold weather. For this 2024-2025 campaign, significant innovations have been implemented:
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New surveillance cameras : Two new cameras will be installed in the area, in the municipalities of Mesmont and Civry-en-Montagne. They are in addition to the 23 cameras already in place to monitor traffic conditions on the roads in real time. These images are accessible to everyone via the inforoute21.fr site, allowing rapid reaction to climatic hazards.
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Connected thermometers : For the first time, connected thermometers will be tested. Attached by magnets to vehicle doors, these innovative devices measure the temperature of the road, the ambient air and the humidity level. This data will allow patrollers to better adjust their interventions and act as quickly as possible in the event of frost.
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Support for the A38 motorway : The department is integrating a new section into its network, namely 36 kilometers of the A38 motorway, also called “La Côte-d’Orienne”. This portion will be under the responsibility of the department for all salting and snow removal operations, marking a significant strengthening of the viability mission.
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Smartwatches for agents : More than 100 connected watches were distributed to agents. These watches are equipped with SIM cards to allow isolated agents to send alerts in the event of danger, thus guaranteeing their safety. This is a strong measure to ensure rapid intervention in the event of an incident.
Organization of the winter viability system
To deal with winter weather, the Côte-d'Or department has organized its winter service system into three levels of service, in order to best adapt to local conditions:
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VH1 – Major structuring axes : These roads, which cover 1,205 km (20% of the network), are priority and are subject to salting and snow removal 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to guarantee the circulation of the main traffic flows.
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VH2 – Middle Network : These roads, covering 2,017 km (35% of the network), will be maintained between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. to ensure good daytime traffic, while avoiding the risk of snow accumulation.
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VH3 – Secondary Network : The roads in this network cover 2,488 km (45% of the network) and will be subject to occasional interventions in the event of snow, with salting limited to risk areas and snow removal during the day.
To ensure the implementation of this system, 187 people are mobilized, including 109 departmental agents and the rest coming from 23 private companies and 55 contracted farmers. In total, 145 vehicles will operate on 175 circuits to ensure the salting, scraping and snow removal of the roads.
Inform for better circulation
Preparation is essential to ensure smooth traffic flow even in difficult weather conditions. The department therefore offers information tools to motorists:
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Inforoute21.fr : This website allows you to monitor traffic conditions in real time using an interactive map indicating potential risks and the conditions of different roads.
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Voice server : Accessible to 03.80.63.30.63this service provides information on traffic conditions 24 hours a day, allowing motorists to better prepare their trips.
Some key figures for winter 2024-2025
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10,390 tonnes of salt are available in 34 storage locations distributed throughout the territory to prepare the roads for winter conditions.
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145 vehicles interventionists are ready to act.
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187 people mobilizeddont 109 departmental agentsaccompanied by private partners and farmers.
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175 circuits laid out to ensure the continuity of traffic, including salting, scraping and snow removal of roads.
Good reflexes for safe driving
Safety on the roads in winter does not only depend on the work of road safety teams, but also on the behavior of motorists, as President François Sauvadet reminds us. Here are eight tips to limit risks on the roads in winter:
- Check vehicle condition and equip it for winter.
- S’informer traffic conditions before leaving.
- Organize your trips in advance.
- Adapt your behavior and drive carefully.
- Make work easier snow removal teams.
- Leave priority snow removal equipment.
- To slow down and tighten to the right in the event of an intersection.
- Never abandon your vehicle on a snowy road.
François Sauvadet reaffirms the department's commitment
During the presentation, François Sauvadet, president of the Côte-d'Or Departmental Council, underlined the importance of this system: “ From November 15, 2024 to March 17, 2025, the Department activates its winter service system to facilitate the travel of road users despite bad weather and ensure their safety on the 5,710 km of departmental roads in Côte-d'Or. For four months, this system will operate 24/7 on the main routes in our department. »
Constant efforts for safe roads
With these reinforced systems and the new technologies put in place, the Côte-d'Or department reaffirms its commitment to ensuring safe travel even during periods of extreme cold. Motorists are urged to remain vigilant, consult real-time information, and adopt appropriate driving habits to minimize risks. Collaboration between road users and teams on the ground will be essential to guarantee smooth traffic flow throughout this winter.
F. BAUDUIN
