November 17, 2023.- The Commission that coordinates the winter road campaign in the State Road Network in the province of Burgos has today addressed the coordination mechanisms between the different agencies of the General Administration of the State for a new winter campaign during a meeting held in the Government Subdelegation. Chaired by the deputy delegate of the Government, Pedro de la Fuente, the meeting was attended by representatives of the State Road Demarcation in Castilla y León Oriental, as well as the Traffic Headquarters, Civil Guard Command, Provincial Commissioner of the National Police Force and Civil Protection Unit.
This meeting analyzed the protocol for the ‘Coordination of the actions of the organs of the General Administration of the State before snowfall and other extreme weather situations that may affect the State Road Network in the province of Burgos’, which exceeds 980 kilometers of which 295 correspond to high-capacity roads.
Thus, the material resources available have been reviewed, such as 89 snow removal machines, 23 tanks and 23 silos of fluxes with capacity for 23,580 tons of solid salt. In addition, there are 19 brine tanks to store 1,101,000 liters of this salt and water solution, which prevents the formation of ice plates. To these are added 15 plants for the manufacture of brine.
In addition, in order to facilitate and make more operational the establishment of restrictions on movement and avoid situations of pocketing, the province of Burgos has 119 places for parking vehicles. In total, more than 500 people will form a special device to combat risky situations on the road guaranteeing its circulation from this month of November and until April 30, 2024 on the occasion of the winter season.
De la Fuente stresses that “in this device it is essential to unite the efforts of all the people and institutions that directly or indirectly are part of the plan.” Likewise, the deputy delegate has appealed “to the responsibility of the citizens during these months, keeping themselves informed about the state of the roads and adverse weather when starting a trip. It is essential to be informed and avoid driving if there are snowfall forecasts.”
The winter road protocol includes the operational procedures for the development of the campaign. In this way, the preventive measures are established, the circumstances in which the protocol phases would be activated (alert, pre-emergency and emergency) and the consequent mobilization of the troops, as well as the channeling of the information to the citizens both of the weather forecasts and of the state of the roads.
It is about ensuring the safety and movement of people and goods in adverse weather situations. To do this, we first try to prevent the formation of plaques on the roads when snowfall is expected. Then, in case these occur, quickly and effectively remove the snow to minimize disturbances to the transit of vehicles. And, in the same way, inform road users of any incident sufficiently in advance.
There are situations in which, due to the intensity of the snowfall or other extreme weather conditions, it is mandatory to recommend that they do not use certain roads and also to demand the use of chains or even to prohibit transit through certain sections. When these circumstances occur, the understanding and collaboration of the citizens is essential. That is why it is important to remain attentive to official information and follow the indications given by Civil Protection, the Aemet and the DGT.
ALERT, PRE-EMERGENCY AND EMERGENCY PHASES
According to the Protocol of the Subdelegation of the Government for the ‘Coordination of actions of the organs of the General Administration of the State before snowfall and other extreme weather situations that may affect the Network of Roads of the State in Castilla y León’, it may be declared phase of alert, pre-emergency or emergency according to the weather conditions and the state of the road. Each phase has an intensity of response, of action on the part of the Government of Spain.
The warning phase will be declared when the AEMET issues warning bulletins for snowfall with red or orange levels, or yellow for snowfall in those areas corresponding to the provincial capitals or municipalities of more than 20,000 inhabitants, as well as when advised by the assessment of the specific circumstances that concur (place, time, day of the week, etc. ). The mere fact of activating this phase means that the Roads units mobilize their media in the area in which it is activated. Specifically, the salt spreaders and fluxes, and the snow-removing machines. It also means that the Civil Guard deploys its Traffic Personnel, as well as the preparation of the equipment of the Traffic Management Center (CGT) at the points of diversion to pocketing areas. It also means that the necessary forecasts are made in case the Executive Committee is to be brought together.
The pre-emergency phase will be declared when the intensity of the snowfall makes it possible to foresee difficulties for the circulation or the falling snow on the road, ice or any other circumstance, effectively hinders the circulation in some section of the State Road Network. It involves, among other measures, the permanent establishment of the Operational Coordination Centre of the Government Delegation and that of the Government Subdelegations involved, establishing the Advanced Command Posts associated with the sections of the State Road Network that due to their situation require it, with provision for support by the Civil Guard Command Forces.
In addition, it may entail the establishment and cessation, where appropriate, of restrictions on normal driving conditions, such as circulation with chains, or the prohibition of circulation or restriction for heavy vehicles.
If the situation requires it, it will be possible to increase the deployment of effects of the Civil Guard to intensify the control points and the restrictive measures to the circulation, and mobilize cranes to remove immobilized vehicles that hinder the actions. In case of need, the intervention of the EMU could be requested.
When it becomes necessary to pay attention to persons who have been blocked or detained and are unable to continue their journey by their own means, the emergency phase shall be declared. In such cases, “we must highlight the signing between the Delegation of the Government in Castilla y León and the Ministry of Development and Environment of the Junta de Castilla y León of the ‘Protocol for the management of the care of people blocked or detained on roads in Castilla y León in the face of a situation declared emergency due to adverse meteorological phenomena’, which supposes an agile, simple and coordinated system to be able to assist people who are blocked or detained in emergency situations.”
On the other hand, the risk levels established by the DGT are the following:
- White Level: all vehicles can circulate without restriction.
- Green Level: Vehicle and truck assemblies with MMA>3,500kg are prohibited from overtaking and are required to drive in the right lane.
- Level Yellow: indicates that the port is passable, except for trucks with a maximum authorized mass greater than 3,500 kilograms and articulated vehicles, and passenger cars and buses will circulate at a maximum speed of 60 km/h.
- Red Level: to drive, the use of special chains or tires at a maximum speed of 30 km/h is mandatory and the circulation of articulated vehicles, trucks and buses is prohibited.
- Black Level: the road is impassable for any type of vehicle.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Before getting on the road, it is recommended to be informed about the state of the roads and the weather forecast. If traveling is a must, check your vehicle before getting behind the wheel, the condition of your tires, whether you are wearing antifreeze and brakes. Make sure you carry chains and the full deposit, as well as the charged mobile phone.
Attend to traffic signs and, already in circulation, drive concentrated on the road, without distractions and trying to anticipate the reactions of the car in an adverse environment. Take special care in tunnel exits, overtaking and crossing with heavy vehicles on two-way roads, and pay attention to the possible presence of obstacles or ice plates on the road.
In the event of being retained by snow, leave the vehicle parked on the roadsides, leaving the central part of the road expedited to facilitate the passage of emergency vehicles and snowploughs. Try to report this fact and, unless the situation is unsustainable, wait for assistance.
In addition to the information transmitted by the media, citizens have the means to know the state of the roads such as telephone 011, the website infocar.dgt.es, the free application of the DGT and the account of X (old Twitter) @informacionDGT, where incidents in the province are published with the tag #DGTBurgos.