From apps to drones, Montreal better equipped to handle winter storms, officials say

Montreal officials say the city is fully prepared for winter's wrath adding an ice breaker to its fleet of snow removal trucks while increasing its supply of salt to combat icy roads and sidewalks.

At a news conference Thursday, Coun. Jean-Franois Parenteau saidimproved technology, from mobile appsto drones, will also help improve the city's snow removal services.

Drones will be deployed oversnow dumps to ensure optimal usage of the space. Last winter, the former Blue Bonnets racetrack was turned intoatemporary snow-dumping site because the city's three dump sites were too full.

Parenteausaid the Info-Neigemobile app will be improved this year.

For starters, the app, which had nearly 273,000 users last winter,will offer more free parking options during snow removal operations.

Parenteau, who is the executive committee member responsible for citizen services, said the app will also be linked to the city's resident services app. That app, he said, will be improved as well.

These improved apps will allow Montrealers to flag issues such as poorly cleared sidewalks, erroneous signsand slippery roads in front of schools, hospitals and bus stops, he said.

In a statement, Parenteau described the apps as a "powerful tool for us to improve our operations in the field. The city's digital shift opens the door to a host of new opportunities to make everyday life easier."

Citizen participation, he said, is essential to delivering effective services. That participation includesreporting problems through the apps whileadhering to parking regulations and driving safely.

According to the city, last winter was exceptional, with two more snow removal operations than usual to clearthe 238 centimetres of snow that fell on an island that averages190.

Last winter, the Plante administration came undersharp criticism from residents for the way it handledsnow removal operations.

Quebec crews also equipped and ready

Quebec's Transportation Department has also been gearing up for the Montreal region's 2018-19 winter.

Snow removal trucks are ready to hit the road, salt is in storage and staff are on alert, according to a Thursday announcement.

The aim, the ministry explains, is to be ready to complete the required operations in a "timely manner" from when the first snow accumulates to enable efficient and safe travel on the roads that are managed by the province.

As the ministry is prepared for winter, it is also recommending that drivers get ready as well. Motorists are encouraged to check Quebec 511 for road condition updates before heading out.

The ministry recommendsmotorists prepare their car for winter, equipping it with winter windshield wipers, snow brooms, extra clothing, first aid kits, emergency food rations and water.

Those emergency rations and extra clothing may come in handy if drivers again becometrapped on Highway 13 as happened in 2017.

In the Montreal region, the ministry is responsible for:

• Maintaining more than 3,100 kilometres of roads.

• Spending $36.5 million for all winter maintenance operations.

• Assigning nearly 210 snow removal trucks to operations.

• Spreading enough salt to cover nineand a half football fields to a depth ofone metre.

• Spreading enough abrasive to cover twoand a half football fields to a depth of one metre.