NYC Announces Next-Generation Technology to Enhance Snow Operations

M. C. Millman

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica Tisch unveiled new technology last week to modernize and enhance DSNY’s snow cleanup operations in preparation for the upcoming winter season. 

The state-of-the-art system, known as BladeRunner 2.0, centralizes the deployment and real-time tracking of snowplows, salt spreaders, and brining vehicles and replaces outdated technology from 2015. Bladerunner 2.0 has been deployed ahead of this year’s snow season, which forecasters predict will be heavier than last year’s. The system will also be used to track DSNY collection and cleaning operations year-round. 

“With forecasters predicting a snowy winter, we’re revolutionizing how we track our snow operations and using new technology to keep New Yorkers safe,” says Mayor 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.” 

BladeRunner 2.0 features significant technology enhancements to better support snowplow, salting, cleaning, and collection operations, including: 

• 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; 
• New visual layer data with brine coverage locations, snow preposition points, and protected bike lane information; 
• 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. 

Ahead of any predicted snowfall, DSNY will activate its snow command center, where Bladerunner 2.0 is housed, to track operations around the city. Each of the thousands of DSNY superintendents have been trained to use the system, which will be available in all 59 DSNY garages. New Yorkers will still be able to utilize PlowNYC to track snowplowing progress in their neighborhoods. 

In addition to this new technology, DSNY is also heading into snow season with its highest headcount in 20 years. This, in addition to a nearly $500 million investment in new trucks in the past two years, means DSNY is better equipped than ever to clear snow on the city’s 19,000 lane-miles of roadway. 

As a result of this investment and other operational changes, streets will no longer be categorized as “primary, secondary, and tertiary,” a system where different communities received different levels of service. Every street in New York City is on a plow and salt route, and every route will be dispatched when conditions warrant. This includes real-time bike lanes service as well.