Norway tests automated anti-icing system on E6 highway

Norway is piloting a technological solution to combat black ice on a 280-meter stretch of the E6 highway in the Trøndelag region. The pilot project, located in Kleiva between two tunnels, utilizes an anti-icing parapet equipped with integrated nozzles that spray a salt and water solution directly onto the asphalt.

Sensors monitor temperature and the dew point to detect conditions likely to cause frost or ice. Maintenance teams can activate the system remotely via a mobile application before the road becomes slippery. This method aims to target only high-risk areas, potentially reducing the overall consumption of salt, which can cause vehicle corrosion and environmental damage.

Nye Veier, the road maintenance company, is conducting this pilot over a single winter season. If successful, the system could be expanded to other vulnerable locations such as bridges, curves, and shaded sections. The company has also set a goal to reduce road maintenance emissions by 75% by 2030.