Working around the clock - winter services in the background
As soon as the temperatures drop, winter road maintenance begins for thousands of employees. ASFINAG maintains a network of around 2,200 kilometres of motorways and motorways alone. Around 80,000 to 100,000 tonnes of road salt are used there every winter season. This is in addition to provincial and municipal roads, which means that Austria-wide salt consumption totals over 300,000 tonnes per year, depending on the weather.
The people behind these operations often work at night, at weekends and in extreme weather conditions. Snow clearing and gritting vehicles are sometimes on the road every 90 minutes during heavy snowfall. The aim is to keep main traffic routes, inclines and dangerous routes free of snow and ice as permanently as possible. This work requires experience, precise coordination and a high level of responsibility - because every cleared lane can prevent accidents.
Austrian salt for Austrian safety
Salinen Austria AG plays a central role here. The company is Austria's only producer of evaporated salt and supplies a large part of the Austrian winter road clearance service. The salt produced in Altaussee, Bad Ischl and Hallstatt lowers the freezing point of water and thus prevents the formation of dangerous black ice.
Salinen Austria AG produces 1.2 million tonnes of salt every year, some of which is used for winter road maintenance. Modern applications such as pre-wetted salt or brine make it possible to improve the thawing effect and at the same time reduce salt consumption, an important contribution to efficiency and environmental protection. The company thus combines security of supply with technical development.
Safety you don't want to miss out on
When roads remain passable in winter, it is the result of a complex interplay of planning, deployment and materials. Behind every safe journey are people in the winter service and local raw materials such as road salt. The employees ensure that mobility remains possible even in snow and ice. #schongenial
Sources:
- Statistics Austria: Traffic accidents and road traffic
- ASFINAG: Winter service and salt consumption on motorways
- Salinen Austria AG: Company and product information
