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In Poland, in accordance with the Road Traffic Act, motor vehicles designed to perform a special function that requires the bodywork to be adapted or have special equipment are classified and permitted for use as special vehicles. An example of such a classification is a vehicle designed for winter road maintenance, i.e. a vehicle equipped with snow and black ice removal devices and with appropriate markings. The main functions of vehicles designed for winter road maintenance are to remove snow from the roadway and roadsides and accompanying facilities, as well as to prevent and eliminate slipperiness on the roads.

In Poland, the regulations do not allow the use of autonomous vehicles designed for winter road maintenance, but such solutions already exist in other countries. Currently, the leaders in this segment are the United States of America, followed by European and Asian countries. In the United States, autonomous snowplows, i.e. self-propelled vehicles with equipment adapted for snow removal, are used in both urban and rural areas and are used to clear snow from roads, highways, parking lots, airports and other outdoor areas.

Equipping autonomous snowplows with advanced sensors, GPS and learning algorithms allows them to move and operate independently without human intervention. By automating the snow removal process, road maintenance agencies can ensure timely and efficient snow removal. Autonomous snowplows can operate for hours, allowing snow removal even during heavy precipitation or in adverse weather conditions, thus increasing urban mobility and reducing the burden on human resources.

In addition to urban and suburban applications, autonomous snowplows are also gaining popularity in commercial and industrial applications, for large facilities such as airports, universities, and business premises where efficient snow removal is required to maintain accessibility and safety. Autonomous snowplows are ideal for such environments due to their ability to handle large areas and adapt to changing weather conditions. They provide a cost-effective and reliable solution for keeping large areas clear, ensuring uninterrupted operation and reducing maintenance costs.

In highly urbanized countries, where severe weather conditions occur frequently, the need for efficient snow removal solutions, both in residential and commercial areas, contributes to the growing demand for specialized self-propelled vehicles. As technology develops, the use of autonomous snowplows is expected to increase, especially due to the need to ensure fast, efficient and low-labor snow removal, both in the public and private sectors. Thanks to the rapid technological progress in this area, in particular better integration of sensors, improvement of GPS navigation and the possibility of real-time data analysis, it is possible to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of such vehicles.

It should be taken into account that the use of autonomous snow removal vehicles in individual countries requires prior adaptation of laws, guidelines and standards for the safe operation of this type of vehicle. The lack of appropriate legal regulations may prove to be an obstacle to their use. High initial investment costs and competition from traditional snow removal companies may also be a challenge.

The use of autonomous snowplows for cleaning urban and suburban areas is an innovative solution that ensures high work efficiency and reduces the number of road accidents, and therefore improves overall safety. The use of autonomous snowplows can contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, because they are usually electrically powered and can operate more efficiently than traditional snow removal vehicles.

However, the use of such a solution would not be possible without the development of technology. Research projects are being conducted in many countries to support autonomous mobility by providing ready-made solutions. In Poland, such a project is DARTS-PL (darts-database.com), which is developing a database of road scenarios recorded in various weather conditions – including winter, during snowfall.

In the United States, in the state of Minnesota, an annual competition of autonomous snowplows is held. On January 17-18, 2025, the 15th edition of the event will be held at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis. The aim of this competition is to activate society, especially students of universities and other higher education institutions, as well as the general population, in order to design and build a fully autonomous vehicle for removing snow from a path designated for the competition. Participants have the opportunity to get involved in the work aimed at constructing a fast, efficient and safe snow removal vehicle using the latest, innovative navigation and control technologies.

Source:
www.caranddriver.com
www.linkedin.com
mail.autosnowplow.com
www.verifiedmarketreports.com