The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is using new technology to modernize and enhance its snow cleanup operations. BladeRunner 2.0 is a state-of-the art system which will centralize the deployment and real-time tracking of snowplows, salt spreaders, and brining vehicles. The system will also be used to track DSNY collection and cleaning operations throughout the year.
“With forecasters predicting a snowy winter, we’re revolutionizing how we track our snow operations and using new technology to keep New Yorkers safe,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “We’ve never been more ready for snow season, thanks to our new Bladerunner 2.0 software that will allow us to better track and support our fleet of approximately 5,000 vehicles across all five boroughs. And we’re doing this in a way that is fair and equitable, so that there is no longer a system of first-, second-, and third-tier streets with different communities receiving different levels of service. Now, every street in all five boroughs is on a plow and salt route. And to help support our efforts, the best thing New Yorkers can do to help us get the roads clear when there is a storm is to stay off them — use mass transit if you must travel, so our plows, salters, and briners, now powered by Bladerunner 2.0, can do their jobs. We’re ready, New York.”
BladeRunner 2.0 will be better able to support snowplow, salting, cleaning, and collection operations, as it includes:
- enhanced GPS tracking data for broader time windows, multiple vehicles, and extended history;
- Google map integration to provide a modern view — with satellite and street view access — for vehicles and facilities;
- real-time brine progress data;
- A new visual layer data with brine coverage locations, snow preposition points, and protected bike lane information;
- the ability to locate vehicles of interest through proximity features and advanced time frame and location search capabilities;
- significantly enhanced search capabilities; and
- new cloud-based system to allow for more concurrent users and faster response times.
Residents will still be able to use PlowNYC to track snow plowing progress in their neighborhoods.