Snow Fences to Improve Winter Road Safety
In Iowa, plastic snow fences are often strategically placed in yards and alongside roads. This video shows several examples of these fences, how their design can reduce snow accumulations and drifts across across roadways and improving the overall road conditions.
Driving Question
How can we make roads safer during Iowa winters?
Probing Questions
- How are snowstorms hazardous?
- What effect do snowstorms have on your life?
Classroom Suggestions
Students could:
- Research different natural hazards.
- Describe how natural hazards impact students’ lives.
- Incorporate how school or road closures can be avoided by using snow fences into their arguments.
Resources
- Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) | Snow Fence Information: The Iowa DOT explains the benefits of snow fencing.
- Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) | Iowa 511 Road Conditions: View current road conditions across Iowa using this interactive map.
- Des Moines Public Schools | A History Of Weather-related Closings: A year-by-year account of school closings or delays in the Des Moines Public School system.
Iowa Core Alignment
3-ESS3-1:Make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of a weather-related hazard.
Credit Info
Submitted by Josie Libby.
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