Name These Plows!: City Launches Naming Contest for Snow Removal Equipment

Apr 16, 2023

The City of Madison Engineering and Streets Divisions, and Wisconsin Salt Wise, ask residents to help name four pieces of snow removal equipment.

Modern snow-fighting tools are designed to efficiently remove as much snow as possible from streets and sidewalks, and they can help minimize the use harmful road salt. Road salt, while a useful tool, prematurely ages infrastructure and degrades freshwater.

"Naming these snow-fighting machines in the City fleet gives us an opportunity to highlight their unique roles in helping us travel safely through Madison – whether by bike or by car - during the winter months," Streets Division Public Information Officer Bryan Johnson said. "And, frankly, it's fun."

How to Submit NamesNaming suggestions can emailed directly to [email protected]. There is no form to complete – just send an email with your suggestions.

In order for your suggestions to be considered as part of the final vote, they be sent prior to 4 p.m., Jan. 13, 2023.

Residents can submit one name, or several. The more pun-filled and playful the nickname, the better. Pop culture, local character, and other references are encouraged.

Your suggestions can be for all, or some, of the equipment eligible to be named. If your name is for a specific piece of equipment, please identify that vehicle in your email.

The Nameless EquipmentHere's a brief description of the vehicles up for naming. Photos of the equipment, and a more in-depth description of their duties can be found on the Streets Division's "Name These Plows" page.

Snowfighter #1: 3961, Dual-wing PlowPurpose: This is a traditional plow truck seen throughout Madison after a winter storm, but this one is equipped with an additional plow to help service wider roads in a single pass. This is the first dual wing plow in the Streets Division fleet.

Snowfighter #2: 3956, Quad Axle Brine TankerPurpose: When weather conditions allow, this truck will be deployed before winter storms to apply a saltwater brine to main thoroughfares to help snow from binding to the pavement, and thereby reducing the need for additional salting later in the storm.

Snowfighter #3: 5691, Trackless MT7Purpose: This vehicle from the Engineering Division removes snow on the Southwest Bike Path and other plowing on Engineering maintained paths. In the summer months, this vehicle is used for mowing around ponds and greenway parcels.

Snowfighter #4: 7348, Front-end LoaderPurpose: Loaders are a very useful tool with plowing snow, especially cul-de-sacs and dead ends. They are articulated in the middle so they can help navigate the tight turns of these kind of streets.

The Election ProcessOnce the names have been received, a list of finalists will be compiled from all of the suggestions for each of the vehicles.

Wisconsin Salt Wise will then host an election to choose the winning names.

The election is schedule to begin accepting votes on January 23, 2023, in conjunction with Wisconsin Salt Awareness Week. Voting will conclude on February 3, 2023.

About Wisconsin Salt WiseWisconsin Salt Wise is a coalition of organizations across the state working to reduce salt pollution in our water. Their website has numerous resources for both homeowners and winter maintenance professions to support best practices around salt use in the winter and year-round. Their web address is www.wisaltwise.com.

Additional InformationMore information about City of Madison winter operations, including techniques on how to salt correctly, can be found at www.cityofmadison.com/Winter.