Michigan to equip snow plows with GPS

The Michigan Department of Transportation will test GPS trackers on a set of snowplows during this winter season.

The Southwest region maintenance crew, which consists of about 80 plow trucks, will be equipped with GPS technology that will enable people to view where the trucks are on the Mi Drive website. The Southwest region includes the plow trucks in Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties.

Plows will show up on the Mi Drive map when they are traveling faster than 10 mph within 50 feet of the road. Other features include an indicator showing whether the plow is up or spreading salt. There will also be photos from the plow.

"This innovative feature allows us to be more accessible and accountable to our customers," State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle said. "This technology will help motorists see where our plows are deployed and what road conditions may be like ahead of their travels, as well as helping our maintenance forces better manage our efforts to keep Michigan roadways as clear and passable as possible during winter weather events."