The first test of the Winter Model has just started. The test involves the calculation of socio-economic costs associated with the lowering of the winter service standard applied to the lowest class of roads which are subject to combined snow ploughing and salting. The objective with the Winter Model is to assess the most important socio-economic effects of different winter road maintenance strategies, giving the road administrators a means for optimising strategies and activities. The key model is the Road Condition Model, where the state of the road surface (dry, wet, icy or snowy etc.) is assessed on an hourly level. Using specified weather courses throughout a whole winter season, consideration is given to weather impact, maintenance actions and traffic.

The effects of the different road conditions are assessed in the following sub-models:

• The Accident Model
• The Accessibility Model
• The Fuel Consumption Model
• The Corrosion Model
• The Environmental Model – effects of salting on vegetation and ground water
• The Road Administrator Model – the cost for measures taken