b'40 ROC WINTER OPERATIONSFrederick Douglassgreater rochester international airportThe Inside Scoop: How Rochester IntlManages Snow and Ice BY JENNIFER DAACK WOOLSONWinter isnt just a season atcommercial runway, which runs north/ sleet tapers off, attention shifts from 4-22 Frederick Douglass Greatersouth, as well as all connecting taxiwaysto 10-28, the secondary runway.Rochester International Airportand the ramp apron for commercial traffic. The target clearing time for Priority (ROC) in upstate New York; its anThe goal is to never let snow build up1 areas is about 30 minutes, balancing operational priority. With average annualenough on Runway 4-22 to become asnow removal with active air traffic. The snowfalls hovering near 90 inches, snowproblem. We strive for nothing worsekey is staying ahead of demand, Cleary and ice removal is a core function. than wet conditions, Cleary says. Its aemphasizes. Even if there is a window Sean Cleary,philosophy that requires immediate action,where we may not have any arrivals or airport operationsso as soon as the first snow starts falling,departures, were still out there clearing manager at ROC,his crew is out there. If were on thethe runway, he says. That way, when the bases procedures onrunway with our brooms from the start ofarrivals and the departures start to pick a zero-tolerance policythe storm, not allowing any accumulation,up, were not having to chase our tails.for runway ice, leavingwere able to maintain a clearer surfaceWhile Clearys crews are busy clearing little room for error.with that almost-perfect braking actionthe airfield pavement, fixed base operators Aircraft schedules,SEAN CLEARY report the pilots are looking for, heUSAirports and AVFLIGHT handle aircraft braking action andexplains. deicing. Airlines contract with the two safety margins all depend on how quicklyFocus on the commercial runwaycompanies for deicing services, and ROC and efficiently snow and ice are managed. doesnt mean other areas are forgotten.is responsible for glycol collection and The airfield is divided into zones to helpThe airport has a robust general aviationtreatment.ensure the most critical surfaces stay clear,community, and snow removal plans safe and operational during snow events.account for movement on Runway 10-28,A Fleet to Fight Snow and SleetThe 3.3 million square feet of Prioritythe 6,700-foot crosswind runway favoredThe proactive approach used at ROC 1 areas include the 8,001-foot primaryby general aviation aircraft. As snow ordepends on a fleet designed for endurance March | April 2026AirportImprovement.com'