What we know about PennDOT's snowplow tracking system

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has new technology that could help you navigate the winter weather. It gives you the ability to track snowplows, their locations and when they last hit a section of roadway.

Last year, 511 PA was used on select trucks, but this year it's on every single vehicle in the state.

PennDOT uses the Automated Vehicle Location System, which uses technology to log and share data in real time.

Winter Weather Advisories issued for Wednesday, in effect through Thursday morning

According to the website, PennDOT uses AVL to:

Monitor vehicle movement and plow-route coverage;
Monitor the system during winter storms or emergencies and, if needed, see the closest truck to an area that needs additional service and direct trucks to that location;
Review data on effectiveness in returning traffic to prestorm conditions;
Review usage of materials such as salt and anti-skid through the various stages of a weather event; and
Interface with other department technology to combine real-time weather and road conditions with corresponding material-usage rates.

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