h a l f b a k e r yContrary to popular belief
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Replace driveway with a strong, raised grid. Snow falls through grid. Assuming, of course, the grid is sufficiently raised and is sufficently widly spaced, only a light smattering remains on top. Only the very end where it curved down to meet the road would need clearing.
Even truly epic snowstorms
that pack feet of snow would turned into mild inconveniences, as the depth is effectively reduced by the height of the driveway.
Requires raised platform to store the car. In case of freezing rain, requires some source of heat. However, never needs resurfacing.
"Sure it's newfangled, mine even has a fang motif."
Heated Driveways
http://www.heateddriveway.com/
I want one of these, + for the novel idea [DesertFox, Nov 14 2005]
Permeable Pavement
http://www.psat.wa....meable_pavement.htm
Something like this? [trekbody, Nov 16 2005]
Similar stuff.
http://www.screwfix...1&cn=1&cd=1&x=0&y=0
(Slightly more detailed view.) [angel, Nov 16 2005]
[link]
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Problem is that lower surface area of the grating reduces amount of grip that tires have. Grating also lowers tire lifespan because of the sharp corners and resultant rubbing. |
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Snow also grips to itself rather well, so you get basically grated snow - the snow remains, but in thin high stacks. |
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Sounds like a grate plan, until you drop your keys. |
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Mental image of your car parked somewhere up by your bedroom window. |
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If it were that high at least you wouldn't have trouble mowing under it. |
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[Shapu] My answer to your stacks is incessant winter wind. |
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Ah! - but you cannot create the incessant winter wind!. I have often seen snow falling heavily in a very calm sky. |
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How about adding a dither generator, or shaker, to the grid? |
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Snow covered driveway arches up to second-story garage. Garage door begins to open, and driveway suddenly begins to shake itself like a dog. Snow falls through to the ground below. The look on passersby faces would be worth the whole project. |
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Given my experiences with snow in New York, where there are steel grids in the sidewalk for subway ventilation, excellent idea! |
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The snow will not fall through the grid, but be pushed through by the cars driving on it (as it is pushed through by people's feet here). Many of the bridges here use the same grids for roadways, but I've never driven over one in snow and they are occasionally quite slippery in other conditions - anyone else with feedback in that area? |
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Traction on wet metal is usually pretty bad.
Where is 'here'? |
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Um, reread the annotation: I believe I dropped a few hints. |
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I saw this stuff some time ago (see Permeable Pavement link). It allows you to grow grass, through the grid which disappears once the grass grows long enough. You can drive on the stuff and not compact the grass (since you don't crush it to the ground). I wonder if it is tall enough to accept an inch or two of snowfall? |
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If instead of a driveway, you had a bridge over a moat, this would work better. Plus there would be the moat, which would be nifty also. |
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I wonder how much dry ice I'd need to use to be able to ship an intact snowball to Brisbane. |
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Ice sublimates, so you don't just need to keep it cold. |
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Okay... sealed in a non-gas permeable container, too. |
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It's going to be a damn expensive snowball. |
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Don't they have snow machines in Australia? |
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They do indeed have snow machines in Australia. |
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Yeah, but not loaded with authentic Cascade mountains snow. |
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Regarding the links - yeah something a lot like that, but freestanding a couple feet off the ground. And lacking sharp edges.
Also I really like the permeable pavement stuff. But I imagine it would actually make snow removal even more difficult, as the shovel has lots of things to catch on.
And wow did I miss that location, [DrCurry]. |
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I'm sorry son..I've run over your mother and she looks like grated cheese. |
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Great idea. Esp. in places that routinely get alot of snow, like ski resort areas. Instead of thinking elevate the grating, think lower the ground under the grating. Two concrete retaining walls on the sides and a metal grating that spans between them. Dig as deep as you want, 2 or 3 feet. Connect hole to storm sewer for drainage when the snow melts. Metal gratings work fine on bridges for heavy traffic. Traction is good because rubber tires with a heavy load interlock and engage the grating. Bun. |
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Uh oh, we have a new resident amoungst us, giving us the snow job. Welcome, and happy christmas eve. (You were innocently searching for a snow plowing person, I bet.) |
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