By JO-MARIE BROWN
An anti-icing agent tested on the Desert Rd for the past five years could soon be used on winter roads throughout the country.
Transit New Zealand has been applying calcium magnesium acetate to sections of the Desert Rd during cold snaps to prevent accidents and reduce the length
of road closures caused by ice.
Alan Burkett, Transit's Central/Waikato area manager, said the chemical worked well and it could be decided to use it on icy roads nationwide.
"So far we have found it quite effective as an ice remover and we have not found any significant effects on the environment."
Snow and ice have closed the high-altitude highway across the Central Plateau seven times this winter, disrupting travellers and businesses.
Calcium magnesium acetate, which was also used in the United States and Japan, was more environmentally friendly than common salt for de-icing, Mr Burkett said.
"[Salt] can contaminate soils, it can cause problems to vegetation and it can cause corrosion to vehicles."
Because the Desert Rd runs through the Tongariro National Park, scientists from Niwa and Landcare were watching closely for any environmental damage by regularly testing streams, vegetation and soil.
Mr Burkett said the chemical was applied in both liquid and granule form either before a frost to prevent ice from forming or afterwards to help remove it.
"We are able to move the ice or break the ice up much easier."
Five fatal crashes and 157 injury accidents occurred last year when there was ice or snow on the roads, say Land Transport Safety Authority figures.
Mr Burkett said the chemical had also been tested on some roads in Central Otago and Canterbury for the past two years.
"It helps us to get the road open a lot quicker once it's closed, and if we can get it down before the ice forms then we can keep it open that much longer."
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