Winter service vehicles

Decree on winter service vehicles

Snow clearing on roads is carried out by winter service vehicles (WSVs), the definition of which is currently restricted to motor vehicles under the French Highway Code [Code de la route].

Snow clearing on motorways currently requires a train of snow-clearing vehicles comprising two or even three WSVs clearing in a staggered formation with one on each lane.

Having tested the extendible ploughs available on the French market without any real success, users have turned to countries which are particularly prone to this type of bad weather in order to examine the solutions they have put in place to ensure that their motorway networks are usable in winter.

The Towplow WSV consists of a motor vehicle with a spreading device and fitted with a plough at the front, and a towed vehicle which also has a spreading device and a lateral plough. This road train makes it possible for two lanes to be cleared of snow simultaneously, with the truck clearing the left lane and the trailer, which is at an angle to the vehicle towing it, clearing the right lane.

Owing to the positive results of tests carried out over two winter seasons as part of a trial, a roll out this type of WSV is envisaged on parts of the motorway network which are particularly prone to snowfall.

However, the current definition of winter service vehicles under Article R311-1(6.1) of the French Highway Code only provides for motor vehicles. It is therefore necessary to adapt the definition to include WSV trailers and authorise their use in an appropriate configuration for clearing snow from motorway lanes.

Orders will lay down the specific provisions governing the use of these trailers.