Road conditions: what they mean

By Senior Airman Sahara Fales, Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs / Published December 08, 2016

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Minot Air Force Base, N.D., experiences constantly changing road conditions throughout the winter and this graphic helps explain them. (U.S. Air Force Graphic/Airman 1st Class Jessica Weissman)

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D., -- For approximately six months out of the year Minot, North Dakota endures a harsh winter which can be surprising for any newcomer to the city. In order to keep base personnel safe, whether they're traveling 20 miles from the city to base or to a building one block away, Minot Air Force Base has guidelines in place to inform people how dangerous the road conditions are.

The purpose of this traffic code is to establish standardized procedures for motor vehicle traffic supervision and ensure safe and efficient movement of vehicles, materials and personnel to destinations on Minot AFB.

Changes to travel conditions are implemented when weather or other natural disasters affect roadway travel conditions on Minot AFB and roads within the Missile Complex.

The 5th Bomb Wing commander will determine when to change travel conditions on MAFB based upon information received from the 5th Mission Support Group. While the 91st Missile Wing commander determines when to change travel conditions within the Missile Complex based on information received from personnel and teams traveling across the complex.

If road conditions change, the 5th Security Forces Squadron will update the on-base and Hwy 83 travel condition signs at the installation entry and exit gates.

The following travel conditions are used to define road conditions on and off base and how drivers should respond:

Green- This condition describes the normal day-to-day travel condition.

Yellow- This condition describes a degraded environment when cautious travel conditions exist. Drive according to the weather and road conditions, which may include a reduction of speed. Use of vehicle cruise control is prohibited when operating government vehicles.

Red- This condition describes a degraded environment when hazardous travel conditions exist. Motorists should not travel due to hazardous conditions which may make it unsafe. Snow plows may be pulled from the roads during severe conditions. Motorists should take "no travel advised" seriously as those motorists who choose to travel at their own risk may become stranded and emergency responders may not be able to reach them safely. A "no travel advised" has the potential to change to a "road closed or blocked" if conditions deteriorate.

Black- This condition is the same as "road closed." Motorists are not allowed to travel on a closed road due to life threatening conditions. The road may be impassible or blocked. Motorists may be cited by Security Forces for driving during this condition. Gate guards will stop outbound vehicles and inform the occupants.

Road conditions in the Missile Complex are similar except they are only coded green, yellow and red - red also serving as a combination of on-base red and black.

Because weather or road conditions may develop during non-working hours which make it difficult for employees to arrive at work on time, the installation commander can determine a later time for members to arrive at their duty stations -- this is known as "delayed reporting."

The next day early morning notification is made to leadership to begin the personnel notification process.

More information on duty reporting status during inclement weather procedures can be found in Minot AFB Instruction 36-101.

To hear updated road conditions please call the MAFB Information Hotline at 701-723-1190

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