Lincoln is adding technology to six snowplows and plans to hire eight additional equipment operators to strengthen its winter weather response. Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Director Liz Elliott outlined the changes Thursday during a news conference at the Municipal Services Center.
The new software will connect with existing mobile sensors on the six plows, helping crews adjust how much de-icing material they apply based on street conditions. Gaylor Baird said the technology should improve efficiency, reduce environmental impacts and help keep drivers safe.
“And by pairing these technologies, we will be able to automatically collect data on street conditions and apply a more precise and tailored amount of de-icing materials in real time,” Gaylor Baird said.
The eight additional transportation and equipment operators will plow streets during winter and help maintain the city’s street network during summer. Elliott said the additional crews will improve efficiency by 10%, allowing plows to operate longer and helping break up extended shifts during larger storms.
The city also has supplies stocked and contractors available to supplement its crews. “For the 2026-27 season, we have 6,000 tons of road salt stocked, our brine storage facility is full, and our snow plows are ready to hit the streets,” Elliott said.
When conditions require additional resources, the city can enlist 18 companies that provide up to 100 contractor plow vehicles. Crews clear nearly 3,000 lane miles of arterial and residential streets during large storms.
City and contractor plows are equipped with GPS technology that tracks their progress and provides public updates during weather events. Residents can view the snowplow tracker at lincoln.ne.gov/snow.
LTU also announced a new text notification system for storm information throughout the year. Notifications will include parking bans and their expiration, along with storm-related issues such as downed trees and traffic signal outages.
Residents can enroll by texting STORM to 91896 or visiting lincoln.ne.gov/textlnk. The service will provide information about winter storms, rainstorms and windstorms.
Gaylor Baird also encouraged residents and organizations to volunteer for the city’s Snow Angels program, which pairs people willing to shovel or use snowblowers with residents who need assistance. Dozens of volunteers have already signed up, she said.
City officials urged residents to clear sidewalks, follow parking bans, give snowplows room and drive cautiously during winter weather. Information about winter operations and the Snow Angels program is available at lincoln.ne.gov/snow.