Local Students Paint KCK Snowplow

Published on November 14, 2022

Photograph of a snowplow painted by students from Kansas State School for the Blind in 2022 that says

The Unified Government’s Public Works Department is excited to announce the continuation of the popular Snowplow Painting program!

Public Works teamed up with local students from Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB) this year. The program allows local students to engage in the arts, learn about winter weather operations, and create a sense of community pride.

Established in 1867, KSSB is constantly evolving and growing to meet the needs of students who are blind/visually impaired in Kansas. They see themselves as a “network of services” that includes a robust Field Services (outreach) team to serve students across the state and a campus that offers intensive, short-term student services.

Led by KSSB’s Makerspace Coordinator, Lydia Knopp, the process was a collaborative effort between students of multiple ages and teachers from various areas within the school. The artwork was designed so students at any level of vision could participate.

Students used a variety of techniques, including hands-on painting, brushwork, and tactile tape, to bring their design to life.

“Our students and teachers had a blast designing and painting the snowplow,” said Lydia Knopp, Makerspace Coordinator. “This was an excellent opportunity for KSSB’s Makerspace to demonstrate our continued support of students’ personal growth through creativity, collaboration, and design.”

KSSB prides itself on offering students and their families a nurturing environment that challenges their children to do their very best work and learn and practice the importance of being a responsible and respectful person.

“The Public Works team extends our thanks to the students and teachers at Kansas State School for the Blind,” said Dave Reno, Public Works Public Information Officer. “The students did an amazing job, and we can hardly wait to get this plow out on the street and pushing snow this winter!”

KSSB’s snowplow will be on display during the Mayor's 2022 Downtown Holiday Lighting Festival on November 18 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at City Hall (701 North 7th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66101). To learn more about KSSB, visit kssb.net.

Check out this handy winter weather info:

The Goal is to Return Traction to Streets

The purpose of winter weather operations isn't to clean and clear streets. The goal is to restore traction to streets so that motorists can be as safe as possible. Restoring traction to streets can be a tricky business, but there are generally four ways traction can be restored to streets during winter weather:

  1. Restoring traction by plowing
  2. Restoring traction by using salt
  3. Restoring traction by using sand
  4. Restoring traction by using a combination of plowing, salting, and sanding. 

When temperatures fall below 15-degrees Fahrenheit, the salt melts ice and snow more slowly. The colder it is outside, the longer it takes salt to do its work, which impacts winter weather operations. During some storms, traction can be restored by moving snow away from roads with plows, and in other storms, traction can be restored by using only a salt treatment. In other cases, plowing a street may reduce traction - especially in neighborhoods. 

When snow becomes tightly packed, ice forms underneath. In these instances, drivers may not plow because removing the top layer of snowpack would leave a solid sheet of ice that salt treatment cannot melt quickly or efficiently. Although it seems counterintuitive, a small amount of snowpack can increase traction and keep motorists safer than they may otherwise be.


How Much Salt Melts 1 lb of Ice?

Salt is one of the many tools the Snow Crew uses to return traction to streets. Unfortunately, it becomes less effective the colder it is outside.

As temperatures decline below 15-degrees Fahrenheit, salt treatment works more slowly. The following chart illustrates how much ice one pound of salt can melt, depending on the temperature:

A chart displaying how much ice one pound of salt can melt based on temperature

When temperatures are extremely low, you may not see much melting, but that doesn't mean the salt isn't there. Remember to be patient and slow down if you're out.

Avoid Parking on the Street

Don’t park in the street whenever possible. It is dangerous and difficult to plow streets congested with parked vehicles. Some streets may not be plowed if plows cannot safely maneuver them.

The most helpful thing residents can do to facilitate snow removal is to get their cars off the street and encourage others to do the same. Residents with no other option other than on-street parking should park as close to the curb as possible.

Help Keep Snow Out of Your Driveway

One of the most frequent concerns in the removal of snow from public streets is snow being pushed back into driveways during plowing operations. As plows travel along streets, the snow accumulated on the plow blade has no place to go but on the adjacent streets and in driveways. The more snow that has fallen, the greater the problem will be.A graphic showing how to properly shovel a driveway to help prevent snow from being pushed back into it by a snowplow

  • Residents can reduce the likelihood of snow blocking their driveway by shoveling snow to the right while facing the street. Doing this will help snowplow drivers avoid carrying piles from the “upstream” side back across driveways.
  • In addition, shoving or blowing snow/ice into streets may cause hazardous conditions to other drivers. Residents and property owners are encouraged to follow the directions above in both commercial and residential areas.


More Winter Weather Tips

For more tips, view or download Public Works’ Helpful Tips for the Winter Season PDF.