As winter weather continues to wreak havoc on roads across the globe, Japan has come up with an innovative solution to keep its streets clear of snow and ice – warm water sprinklers.
The technology involves installing sprinklers that spray warm subterranean water over the roadways to melt the snow and ice. It has been in operation for several years in Japan. Large tanks are used to store the naturally heated water, which is then used during the colder months.
Officials claim that even in regions with significant snowfall, the warm water sprinklers have been very successful in maintaining smooth roads. The technique is also safe for the environment because it doesn’t utilise salt or chemicals that might harm plants and animals.
