Virginia Tech Smart Highway Snow Making System. Blacksburg, Virginia.
VDOT and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) wanted to be able to test varying roadway conditions, influenced by weather, on driver and material performance. WRA was asked to design a snow-making/rain system for a half-mile section along the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute Smart Highway. The all-weather system is capable of artificial snow production of 4 inches per hour (based on suitable weather conditions) and varying rain intensities with varying droplet sizes. The design components of the facility include a 3,000 gpm high pressure water pumping station (500 psi), over 4 miles of high pressure air and water supply lines, 75 snow/rain-making towers, a 500,000 gallon water storage tank and related site work/grading for the site.
Services Performed
Project Highlights
Mechanical
Mechanical design included the design of all aspects of the 3,000 gpm high pressure pumping station including pumps, controls, HVAC, surge protection and space for chillers and air compressors.
Architecture
Architectural design included the water pumping station exterior.
Geotechnical
Geotechnical design included the pumping station and clearwell, foundation design for the 500,000 gallon water storage tank and trench as well as support details for the high pressure piping lines.
Civil/Land Development
Civil design included the site layout for the tank, pumping station, all pipeline design, spacing of the snow/rain-making towers and coordination with all other aspects of the Smart Highway project.
Electrical
Electrical design included all aspects of the pump station design including the selection of variable frequency drives, electrical feed for the station and all interior electrical work.