While it can be costly, laying down grit is essential both for winter road safety and for keeping the country running.

It’s estimated that not gritting the roads nationwide each winter could cost up to £2 billion each year, caused by huge transport delays across various industries.

Whether it’s light snow, black ice, or heavy snowstorms, AccuGrit is dedicated to gritting roads, car parks, industrial sites, and any other surfaces that need it during the winter months. We use our own sophisticated weather forecasting data to help us get ahead of the weather and deploy resources more efficiently.

By using this data, we can reach sites well ahead of time and more accurately grit the areas and regions that need it most without wasting resources and time on areas unlikely to get snow.

The Role of Weather Data in Gritting

Alongside dedicated, well-trained teams and the right equipment, using accurate and timely weather forecasting is the key to successful gritting.

At AccuGrit, we get our data from our in-house weather forecasting systems which are at the cutting edge of technology in the UK. Weather forecasting in general has greatly improved in its accuracy over the past decade, reaching 90% or above accuracy for 3 and 5-day forecasts.

By using cutting-edge forecasting software, we can increase our weather prediction accuracy from much further out, allowing us to get prepared well ahead of time.

With the help of AI, we analyze a range of data points including:

• Air Temperature: Affects the rate of temperature change on road surfaces.
• Surface Temperature: This helps us determine when ice will likely form on roads or other surfaces.
• Wind Speed and Direction: Influences how grit must be spread, as well as the average rate of road surface cooling.
• Dew Point: This shows us the likelihood of moisture forming on roads or other surfaces.
• Precipitation Intensity and Type: This allows us to predict snow accumulation levels, as well as account for rain washing away grit.

Our AI-assisted analysis helps rapidly and effectively combine these varied data to give an accurate picture of future weather conditions/

This helps us make more informed decisions about how, when, and where we deploy our gritting resources.

The Benefits of Leveraging Weather Data

This data helps us at AccuGrit target specific areas at the times when they most need it, saving on resources and time.

Not only does this optimize resource allocation, it also helps us be more environmentally friendly by only gritting where necessary. Alongside this, being well prepared ahead of time reduces the risk of accidents on roads. This is because more timely gritting servies helps enhance road safety by not allowing ice to form at all.

Accugrit uses a data-driven strategy to target high-risk areas first, maximising public safety and helping businesses stay open.

Accugrit’s Approach

With a 100% client renewal rate since our launch, AccuGrit provides top-quality gritting services at locations all throughout the UK.

To help us provide the best services possible, we have forged deep partnerships with various technology partners, including many different advanced meteorological services. This has helped us stay ahead of the game with our weather forecasting.

We aim to:

1. Use our advanced weather forecasting to spot weather changes well ahead of time.
2. Deploy experienced gritting and snow removal specialists rapidly to any contracted location.
3. Complete efficient and effective gritting quickly to prepare roads and businesses for winter weather well in advance.
4. Provide constant and consistent monitoring of weather conditions to deliver additional gritting or snow removal services whenever and wherever needed.

When it comes to effective gritting, speed is key. Every hour an area goes ungritted is another hour that can lead to accidents, slow down business, and increase operating costs.

This is why AccuGrit is fast and efficient, something shown by our client reviews:

“I want to send a big THANK YOU to all the team, it is so refreshing to have a company who I don’t have to spend my life chasing. And who turn up when they say and do what they say, communication is excellent too.“ – National Facilities Management Business

Employing Technology and Driving Innovation

AccuGrit is determined to stay at the forefront of innovation, using a range of technology including GPS and Telematics for more accurate ground tracking, alongside Machine Learning and IoT networks to help analyse data more effectively.

These technologies combined are constantly advancing the ability of forecasting models.

Environmental Considerations

Excessive gritting can lead to negative environmental impacts. It corrodes infrastructure, pollutes water, and damages vegetation. 

AccuGrit is highly committed to sustainability, which is why we employ a two-pronged approach to limiting our environmental damage.

By using more accurate weather forecasting and advanced technologies, we can minimise our gritting to only areas that truly need it. Alongside this, we also use environmentally friendly de-icing materials and methods instead of traditional grit wherever we can.

All of this combines to help us keep roads and surfaces clear, all while limiting our ecological footprint.

Future Trends in Weather-Driven Gritting

While great progress has already been made, the technology supporting better weather-driven gritting is only just emerging.

More advanced software elements such as AI-powered data analysis and integrated smart city systems are already upgrading the accuracy of our weather predictions. These systems are constantly improving, and are likely to help gritting services even further in the future.

Alongside the software, more developments in physical technologyare helping make gritting more efficient and cost-effective. Prototypes of automated gritting vehicles are being developed, allowing for faster, more automated reaction times to adverse winter weather.

Meanwhile, more advanced materials are constantly in development to make gritting more effective and environmentally friendly.

Remaining at the forefront is AccuGrit: we are constantly testing and adopting new technologies to help keep us make the most of developing technologies.

Conclusion

Using advanced weather forecasting data allows us at AccuGrit to respond rapidly to new weather conditions and more efficiently grit surfaces across the UK.

By adopting better materials, more advanced equipment, and using more accurate data, AccuGrit is highly committed to advancing innovation to increase safety, lower costs, and support our environmental responsibiliities.

In need of a more responsive, more reliable winter maintaince provider? Contact us today to see how AccuGrit can help you stay snow and ice-free this winter.