Pittsburgh Controller Criticizes City Snow Removal Efforts

PITTSBURGH, PA — Sluggish snow removal efforts in Pittsburgh during numerous storms this winter are largely due to faulty GPS technology used by public works drivers, city Controller Michael Lamb said Tuesday.

Lamb noted that concerns were raised about the GPS-based system were raised in a June 2020 audit by his office and that the problems noted in the document should have been fixed by now. The city's system was designed to optimize routes taken by snow plow drivers, control the amount of salt spread on streets and allow people to track city plow truck locations during winter storms.

But with nearly double the amount of snow having fallen this year compared to a typical winter, the system's flaws in clearing Pittsburgh's 1,200 miles of paved roads have been exposed, Lamb contended.

“Our audit found issues with the technology installed by the contractors and subcontractors responsible for making this system work,” he stated in a news release. “We were told by Public Works that the fixes would be in place by now, and clearly that isn’t the case.”

Lamb wants the Public Works Department to implement the audit's recommendations as soon as possible. He also called for pubic works drivers to be consulted on any changes to snow removal routes.

“Our drivers knew this system was not working as intended. Pittsburgh has a unique terrain and relying solely on mapping software isn’t going to cut it,” Lamb said. “DPW needs to go back to the drawing board with the system’s contractors and implement the feedback of drivers who know these routes better than any software can.”