Cincinnati swaps snow plow tracker vendor after January 2025 crash

Cincinnati city officials announced a new contract for snow tracking technology on Thursday, replacing a system that failed during the heavy snowfall of January 2025. The move addresses a specific operational failure where high user traffic crashed the digital dashboard residents relied on to monitor plow routes.

The city spent two years updating its snow response protocols after back-to-back winters in December 2025 and January 2026 buried the region. Mayor Aftab Pureval stated the administration has prepared for the worst-case scenario. He stood with City Manager Sheryl Long and Department of Public Services Director Mark Riley to outline the operational changes for the upcoming season.

City Manager Sheryl Long confirmed the city partnered with a new third-party vendor for the SnowPlow Tracker. The previous system became inaccessible during peak storm events. Long said the new platform will provide a more accurate and transparent view of removal operations. She noted the tool will remain in the same online location but will feature a different design to handle public demand.

Department of Public Services Director Mark Riley explained the new ETCH Snowplow Tracker integrates with upgraded vehicle GPS technology. The system offers more reliable tracking and a clearer picture of snow treatment across the city. Riley said the upgrade adds specific capabilities for both the trucks and the users monitoring them.

The city is deploying 65 trucks and drivers per shift when winter weather impacts the region. Operators trained in classrooms and on obstacle courses during the warm months to sharpen their skills. The deployment size is fixed for the season to ensure consistent coverage.

Christy Barton, a resident of Mt. Adams, noted improvements since the January 2025 storm trapped residents on unplowed streets. She said the city did a better job this year compared to previous standards, though she stopped short of calling it perfect. The city aims to maintain this level of performance as the first snowfalls arrive.

The new vendor contract and vehicle upgrades are fully implemented ahead of the first major weather system. The city expects the digital tracker to withstand the high traffic volumes that overwhelmed the previous system. Officials will monitor the platform during the initial storms to ensure stability.