Link Ahead with the City of Dublin, Ohio
Link Ahead with the City of Dublin, Ohio
Plows, Cones and Burgers: A Very Dublin SnowGo Roadeo
Trucks rumble, cones wobble and burgers sizzle—but the real story is how Dublin gets winter-ready long before the first snowflake. We’re live from Dublin’s SnowGo Roadeo where practice meets performance and friendly competition sharpens the skills to keep roads safe. You’ll ride along with veteran staff, hear how new drivers learn to maneuver massive plows through tight turns, and pick up practical tips that make leaf collection smoother for everyone on your street.
We talk with the Director of Public Service about snow school, route rehearsals and the rapid transition from a 10-week leaf program to full winter operations using the same vehicles. Our City Manager, Megan O'Callaghan, jumps into the big rig to feel the visibility challenges first-hand and shares how materials, equipment checks, and route familiarity all come together to protect the community. Then we geek out with the City’s Data and Analytics Manager to unpack the SnowGo and LeafGo systems: sensors and GPS, automated vehicle location feeds, turn-by-turn route guidance and how prioritizing arterials, collectors and residential streets reduces deadheading while speeding recovery during storms.
If you’ve ever wondered why your block gets plowed when it does, how the City tracks progress in real time, or what you can do to help crews move faster—like keeping leaf piles off the street and away from mailboxes—this conversation lays it all out. Preparation is quiet work, but when the storm hits, the results are loud and clear: safer streets, fewer delays and a community that understands the plan.
Enjoy the on-the-road energy, meet the people behind the plows and the data, and see how planning, training, and technology turn winter weather into a manageable mission. And don't forget to follow the show, share it with a neighbor and leave a review to help more residents find these valuable insights
Hello and welcome to Link Ahead, the City of Dublin podcast. And to our listeners, if you are hearing trucks and heavy equipment in the background, it's not you, it's us.
SPEAKER_03:It's been a while since we've done this, but what a perfect day to take Link Ahead on the road for an effort that really involves all of our roads. We're set up outside of our service center for the annual snow go day, and it's snow and ice preparation. So this event helps all of us to prep for winter weather, and we have some fun with it too, with our snow rodeo.
SPEAKER_06:Right. And so Bruce and I will have multiple guests throughout this episode sharing how we prep for winter weather, and perhaps most importantly, keep our residents, students, students, and city safe during inclement weather. And our first guest today is Marja Kepler. You are an administrative support for the city of Dublin, and you've been working with Parks and Recreation Public Service for what, 29 years? 29 years. Wow. Well, thanks for joining us for Link Ahead. And you've been involved with this event for years. Uh tell us a little bit about it. Set the stage for us.
SPEAKER_05:Well, it's an opportunity for the staff to get out here and practice their snow plowing along with other opportunities to work on equipment that we use. And it's basically to get prepared for the season and to see what they're going to have to look forward to once they're out in the snow.
SPEAKER_03:I mean, you've been here, you've seen it, you've seen the, you know, just the technology change, you've seen the staff change. Is there anything that stands out to you year after year?
SPEAKER_05:I mean, I think they do a great job, and we have a lot of turnaround and staff with people retiring at this point. So it's a good opportunity for new employees to see what's out there. It definitely makes you appreciate what they're doing if you get in one of those small snow plows and try to drive it because it's not easy.
SPEAKER_03:All right. Have you driven one of the snow plows?
SPEAKER_05:I have. I can't do the plow itself, but I've driven the truck.
SPEAKER_06:And so there's a serious aspect of this. There is mandatory snow school, but then also a little bit of fun, right? So there's some healthy competition.
SPEAKER_05:This portion is the main one, which is the plows driving it. You have to maneuver through the cones, be able to back up and not hit the rope back here. You have to go through it and knock down all of the wooden blocks and not miss any of them without hitting the orange cones and knocking them down. So that's really the main part of the snow plow rodeo.
SPEAKER_06:It's harder than it sounds. I believe it is.
SPEAKER_05:It's watching the cones, driving the truck, and working the plow. Like that's a lot.
SPEAKER_06:And you have some pretty important roles here. So I know there's also a cookout.
SPEAKER_05:We do a luncheon for everybody that participates in the snow plow rodeo. And then I believe in the afternoon they go out and actually run their routes to get used to what they have to do once the snow hits, which hopefully won't be for a while.
SPEAKER_03:All right. Is there any pep talk that you've given people to get them ready for this?
SPEAKER_05:No. I just go out and tell them good job when they're done, even if they do hit a few of the tones.
SPEAKER_06:I mean, well, Marja, thanks so much for joining us today. Now go grab us someone who's been driving one of these plows. Who's in first place? Let's see who we can find.
SPEAKER_05:Okay, let me go find someone for you.
SPEAKER_06:All right. We sent Marja off to find us someone competing in today's Snow Go Rodeo, and she brought us Austin. Austin, thanks so much for being here on Link Ahead.
SPEAKER_02:Oh, you're welcome.
SPEAKER_06:Tell us a little bit about uh yourself and what you do here on a regular day for the city of Dublin.
SPEAKER_02:Uh I've been with the city for nine years. Uh I'm on the special events crew set up for the Irish Fest, 4th of July, all that kind of stuff.
SPEAKER_03:That's fun. That's uh you've got to say that's a fun job, right? Oh, I love it.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, it's a great job.
SPEAKER_03:Cool. All right, let's get to the nuts and bolts of the day. Word on the street as you're in first place right now. That's right here. Okay. So what is it about driving a snowplow that is different and unique to what you're doing on a daily basis?
SPEAKER_02:Uh just, I mean, we're used to driving little trucks. Not little, I mean regular pickup trucks, but uh this is just a great way to get used to the the plow trucks again. It's it's completely different driving a big truck compared to you know a regular pickup truck. Sure.
SPEAKER_06:So how many years have you been participating in the Snow Go Rodeo?
SPEAKER_02:Nine. Every year I've been here.
SPEAKER_06:It's fun. Everybody likes to get out here and do do that. Um, so you drove a truck. Anything else that you're doing here today?
SPEAKER_02:Uh just getting used to the feel of the truck again. I mean, the obstacle course changed a little bit this year, and uh I think we added some stuff that's it really pertains to our job plowing snow, I guess.
SPEAKER_06:Yeah. So we asked Marja if she had any pep talks, and she said no, really. So, what did you do to pump yourself up for today? How do you prepare? What's your tactic?
SPEAKER_02:Actually, I went, I think, third. So I just figured, you know, go as fast as I can, get it over with, and then watch everybody else and see see how I uh compared to them.
SPEAKER_06:And how many cones did you hit?
SPEAKER_02:I didn't hit any.
SPEAKER_06:Hey, excellent. Great job.
SPEAKER_03:All right, so the specs of the truck, like for people that don't know, I mean, is it it's an automatic now, right? Yes. Okay, it's automatic. Yeah, and and the plow. I mean, you're adjusting the height of the plow as you go, is that right?
SPEAKER_02:Yes, you're adjusting the height and turning it to the left and the right. Uh I mean, there's certain ways you have to turn the plow to make certain turns, and when it gets tight, you want to turn the plow into the truck. The further the plow is away from the truck, the wider the turn will be.
SPEAKER_06:So all right, so it's October, and we hope it's not going to snow anytime soon. But this is a good day to get started. Before that, we have leaf collection season. Uh, how are you involved with that?
SPEAKER_02:I am on a leaf crew every day. Uh we usually keep the same leaf crew. Uh, it's it's a nice change of pace uh at the beginning of leaf season, I'll say. Towards the end, it kind of gets a little tiring, but uh, we look forward to snow at the end of leaf season. So yeah. So our neighbors, are they raking it right? For the most part, most people do, yes. All right.
SPEAKER_06:And what does that mean? Walk us through it. What advice do you have for the residents or requests like please do this or don't do that?
SPEAKER_02:Advice I would give the residents is not to pile the leaves around trees or mailboxes, and uh please don't park in front of your pile. It makes it really challenging for us to get those leaves.
SPEAKER_06:Austin, thanks so much for joining us. We really appreciate it, and uh good luck.
SPEAKER_02:Thank you very much.
SPEAKER_03:All right, and we're back. We have our next person is Jay Anderson, who is the director of public service. Jay, welcome to the podcast. You've been on here before, you teed up uh our winter weather last year at this time. So now we're uh we're talking to the people that are driving the snow plows. So give us your perspective on what uh what this day means for the city.
SPEAKER_00:Today is the day we we get back in the trucks. It's it's been you know eight, nine months um since our staff's been back in the city plow trucks, get them re-familiarized with the trucks and how they operate. It's really intended to be a fun day, but with training um, you know, as an added bonus to this. Um so yeah, and we got a perfect day today. So we're getting them out, getting them some experience with the uh trucks and doing a little friendly competition.
SPEAKER_06:Yeah, and we know they do snow school as well. Has that already happened, or that's this afternoon?
SPEAKER_00:Correct. So we have snow school first thing in the morning uh for a couple hours in the morning, and then we have the competition, and then we'll actually go out and send our trucks out in the routes and we'll track them on our snow go system. And then periodically throughout the rest of the year, we'll send trucks out uh for training purposes. So if you see plow trucks out driving around, uh, you know that they're out there doing some training um in preparation for the upcoming season.
SPEAKER_06:Now, if Jay sounds a little nervous, it's because he's watching people drive these plows around. And I did see someone hit a cone. So um I'm wondering who that was. We'll find out a little bit later.
SPEAKER_00:I think we will uh we'll definitely have some more training on tech.
SPEAKER_06:So we mentioned it earlier, it's October. Uh, we're not really planning on any snow anytime soon. What's your prediction on when the first snowfall is going to be this year?
SPEAKER_00:Let's say March 1st. March 1st. That's wishful thinking.
SPEAKER_06:Yes, we can hope. And so then before that, we're talking about leaf collection. And we talk about this every year because it's kind of the same team and the same trucks who are doing leaf collection and then going into snow season. Uh, talk a little bit about that transition and then we'll come back and talk about um getting those leaves up this year.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, so that's that's why we try to get out of out ahead of it and why we have this event when we have it. So it's in preparation for our leaf season. Um, so we want to make sure that uh, you know, our trucks are ready to go for leaf season. It's completely different setup, obviously, than what you'll see during uh our our trucks during the snow season. But um, believe it or not, we're all using all the same equipment and same vehicles uh for leaf and snow removal season.
SPEAKER_03:That's perfect. I mean, what's what is new? Every year we we rule out something new. Is there anything that we didn't know about leaf season and the upcoming uh winter weather?
SPEAKER_00:So we continue to work on our route guidance system um for snow removal, and um, so that's still in a pilot phase. So we're working through all that and doing some testing on that. Um, but as far as our our leaf and snow removal, um, it's still going to be consistent with what you've seen in years past.
SPEAKER_06:So let's talk more about the leaf season. It's a 10-week program. Um, every other week we got we have some zones. Uh, walk through the basics for us.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, so we start on October 6th and run through December 12th. Um, we have a two-zone collection system. So we are in each zone once every other week. Um, we remind people that you can track our progress on our LeafGo system that you can find on the city website. Um, and you know, just reminders, I think, um, that are helpful to not rake your leaves out into the curb line or out into the street, because predominantly they would wash down the storm sewer. Um, rake them in the the the tree lawn between your sidewalk and your curb, um, and try to avoid any trees, mailboxes, um, fire plugs. And if you do have a car parked in front of your home during leaf removal season, um, when it is your week for the scheduled removals, make sure you pull that in your drive if you could.
SPEAKER_03:That's a good reminder because you said the week of. So it's not like, hey, it's my week on Monday, boom, they're gonna be gone Monday. That's not the case.
SPEAKER_00:That's true. We're we're working all week, 7 a.m. to 6 30 p.m. We'll be in those zones and we'll finish out a zone um no later than Saturday or Sunday of that week. Awesome.
SPEAKER_06:Well, thanks so much for being here today. And oh wait, we didn't ask, uh, I didn't see you competing here. I didn't see you driving.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, what's going on? Uh unfair competitive advantage. Uh I'm gonna bow out this year. Wow. It's better off not seen.
SPEAKER_06:All right. Well, thanks for being here, and thanks for all you do for the city.
SPEAKER_00:Thank you.
SPEAKER_06:All right, and hot off the course is our city manager, Megan O'Callahan. Megan, thanks for joining us. Thanks for having me. So we saw you in the truck. Tell us how it went.
SPEAKER_04:Well, it's a lot harder than it looks. It's a big, big truck, and it's really, really hard to see all of the obstacles that they had me drive around.
SPEAKER_03:All right, so which truck were you driving?
SPEAKER_04:I was in the big snow plow.
SPEAKER_03:Okay. These all have names. Do you know what you're doing?
SPEAKER_04:Oh, I don't know.
SPEAKER_03:Okay.
SPEAKER_04:Maybe it was Megan Snow Callion. I don't know. I would hope so.
SPEAKER_06:Or Snowphilophagous. That would be great. So I know there are CDL trucks and some that you don't have to have a CDL for. Which were do you have a CDL? I do not have a CDL. I know you do this every year. So so what do you love about coming out here?
SPEAKER_04:This is my 10th year. Um, and it's actually the 10th year that we've had the rodeo. What I love about it is just seeing all of the work and preparedness that goes into getting ready for the upcoming upcoming winter. I like seeing everybody, you know, there's some camaraderie about it, there's friendly competition, but it's also all about making sure that we're prepared for the winter to keep the community safe.
SPEAKER_03:I mean, it's a testament to you to get into one of those rigs. I'm intimidated just standing here. So I I think you can do it, Bruce.
SPEAKER_04:Go ahead. Go ahead. You're next, I heard.
SPEAKER_03:You know, but it's great to see the leader of our organization out there doing the stuff. People were applauding you. So nice work out there.
SPEAKER_06:Thanks. It's fun. Now we do have to razz you a little bit though, because we were talking to Jay Anderson and he's watching the truck, and someone hit a couple of cones. I'm not saying it was you, but I did.
SPEAKER_03:I think the wind is not good.
SPEAKER_04:I hit a couple of cones, I missed a few wood blocks, I had to back up and reverse several times, but it's all in good fun and it's great to experience it.
SPEAKER_03:This is a fun day. We're out here, everyone's driving plows. But what is it behind the scenes that you know our listeners might not know about snow season that that you can share with us?
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, there's a lot that goes into preparing for snow and ice season. We have to make sure that we have all the materials on hand or we're ready from a material perspective. We have to make sure that all of the equipment is ready because a lot of the equipment gets transitioned out for different operations in the summer and the fall. So those fleet technicians and all of our maintenance um workers look at all the equipment, just make sure that it's ready. And then this really is an entire day of all sorts of preparations. It includes the rodeo, and then this afternoon, each of the drivers will go out and they will drive their routes and they'll check for any obstacles and they'll just become familiar with their routes.
SPEAKER_06:All right, we asked Jay um his prediction. So let's get yours. When do you think the first snowfall snowfall is going to be this year? Oh, I think around Thanksgiving. Okay. Thanksgiving. Hopefully, right afterwards. What was Jay's prediction? He he said March. So I actually like the winter months. I like the seasons. All right, Megan, thanks so much for being here. We uh smell hamburgers. So I know there's a cookout today, so so go get yourself some lunch. Thanks for being with us. Thanks for having me.
SPEAKER_03:All right, now with us is Rick France, data analytics manager for the city of Dublin. And we just had Megan on here, and she was talking about the behind-the-scenes work that goes on with the snow plowing. So you work with our uh just the mapping and making sure that we track everything. So tell us, give the listeners a little bit of background about what you do with the city.
SPEAKER_01:Sure, I am the city's data and analytics manager. We are in charge of all this data that the city gets, and there are a lot of sensors and information that the city gets, and we use that information to make the city more efficient.
SPEAKER_03:Awesome. Now, what specifically are you doing with SnowGo?
SPEAKER_01:So, in order for the public SnowGo to work and people to see all those plows on the roads, there are a lot of steps in that process. So there are sensors and GPS units on the trucks, those have to communicate to our AVL vendor. That's automated vehicle location. That information then has to go to our SnowGo vendor and then finally out to the website so that the public can see it.
SPEAKER_06:And people love Snow Go, I'll tell you that much. And it's fun because for a public information standpoint, people say, When's the last time my road has been plowed? I'm like, I can get that down to the minute, you know, because of the the technology you guys are using.
SPEAKER_03:So Rick, you you guys have SnowGo, that was first, and then you brought LeafGo on. So what how has it changed and evolved since you guys, how long has it been since you guys uh turned this on?
SPEAKER_01:Oh my gosh. Uh maybe 10 years at least. Uh, and it has evolved a lot. So it started off with just GPS to know where have we been, where have we not. Uh, and now we're getting much more sophisticated with turn-by-turn directions. We know the number of passes that it takes for a road to be kind of officially cleared. Uh, and all of that information goes to making sure that we can minimize trucks and plows driving down roads that are already cleared.
SPEAKER_06:Let's get really nerdy with this. So, like, is this truth too? Like you only make right turns, or you know, there's a lot more to going into a snow route than most people probably think about.
SPEAKER_01:Yes. Um, it's called deadheading when you are traveling over a road that you have already cleared. So we try to minimize that. Um, we divide the city up certainly into different priorities. Priority ones are the major thoroughfares. Um, there are two level twos that are the collectors, and then finally there are the residential streets that are level three. We often don't get to those until the snow has stopped falling. Um, and then they'll get through and clear all of those. But yeah, there's a lot to prioritizing and categorizing, and then doing it all the most efficiently. Did you have any input on the names of all the snow plows? Uh late last year, we did take delivery of a few plows. We didn't have time to do the whole public input process. So I I may have suggested a few that made it in.
SPEAKER_06:You don't want to share with our listeners your which ones you got to name?
SPEAKER_01:If you can't tell, then I will consider the job well done.
SPEAKER_06:I love that. Uh, last question. You know, I there's a lot of competition going on here today. I didn't see you in a plow. Are you are you joining in any of the fun here at the Snow Go Rodeo?
SPEAKER_01:I am definitely partaking of the burgers and hot dogs, but that might be my extent. We are we are also monitoring things from the data standpoint, like all those steps that I mentioned before, seeing if we can make sure all of those are working properly, because leaf season lasts right up until snow season, and we want to dedicate as much time as possible to picking up the leaves before we have to turn around those trucks, get all the sensors and plows and all that stuff working. Um, so as much intel as we can get about that will make that work more efficiently when we do make that quick turnaround. Awesome.
SPEAKER_06:All right, Rick. Well, thanks so much for joining us today. Yeah, thank you for having me. Well, Bruce, what a fun time out here at the Service Center today.
SPEAKER_03:Awesome. A lot of fun.
SPEAKER_06:A lot of fun. And I love talking about snow when it's 75 degrees out here in October, you know. So it seems like it's a long time away, but it'll be here before we know it. And a great chance to just really showcase not only our public service staff, but all of Team Dublin from the city manager to GIS and mapping. We just really got to see the best of Dublin out here today.
SPEAKER_03:No, it was awesome.
SPEAKER_06:And we also have to give a shout out to our producer, the best in the biz, Scott Light, for coming out here and doing an on the road as live podcast for us. A lot of fun. And our sincere thanks to everyone here who is dedicated to serving our city and serving you with best in class services, whether it's a 75-degree day or white out snow conditions.
SPEAKER_03:And to our listeners, thank you as well for taking the time to connect with your city. Tune in next time as we continue to explore the many personalities and experiences that make Dublin a thriving place to live, work, and grow.