Fighting snow and ice on roads with de-icing chemicals is a major task in winter maintenance. On the main road network usually sodium chloride is used all over the world. Various studies and practical experiences have proven the high efficiency of sodium chloride treatments on traffic safety and national economy.

The application methods have been enhanced worldwide in the recent few years. Pre wetted salting and applications of only brine are more and more established on roads and also on bicycle lanes.

The PIARC technical committee Winter Service conducted a survey of winter maintenance in the countries represented in PIARC. Scopes were winter maintenance standards, type of de-icing chemicals and application methods. Besides current development also research projects and guidelines have been compiled.

The paper sums up the most important findings and analyses, the different winter maintenance standards and techniques. The paper discusses also open questions such as the limit of brine at low temperatures and gives an outlook on future developments.