Cincinnati Hires ETCH for Snow Plow Tracker
The city has contracted ETCH to run its snow plow tracking system and is adding 10 more roadway weather stations.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Current Conditions
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Cincinnati has contracted ETCH to administer its snow plow tracker this winter, with upgraded GPS technology for the plows. The city is also adding 10 more roadway weather stations after installing the first 10 last year.
Why it matters
Residents rely on the tracker to know when streets will be cleared, and officials acknowledged that earlier versions did not track plows in real time. A record snow storm this year exposed problems with the new system and with staffing, which contributed to lags in plowing some streets.
The city's own reporting shows the tracker was not updating plow locations in real time as of early 2025, and the new GPS-equipped system was strained during a record storm this year. Officials have not released data showing how much the upgrades have improved plow response times.
The players
ETCH
ETCH is the company Cincinnati contracted to administer its snow plow tracker and provide upgraded GPS technology for the plows.
Cincinnati Department of Public Services
The Cincinnati Department of Public Services oversees city snow removal and street maintenance operations.
The details
Cincinnati's Department of Public Services says staffing and technology issues contributed to lags in plowing some streets during a record-breaking snow storm this year. Drivers previously used paper maps in binders to track plows until about a year ago, when the city moved toward the digital system.
Timeline
2016: City began providing some form of snow plow tracking.
Early 2025: City officials revealed the map was not tracking plow activity in real time.
Last year: First 10 roadway weather stations were installed.
Earlier this year: The new system experienced problems during a record snow storm.
Seasonal Patterns
Cincinnati's roadway weather station network, which began with ten installations last year, is now expanding by another ten stations to supply pavement temperature and precipitation data. The city's record snow storm this year tested that network alongside its plow-tracking system, which has operated in some form since 2016.
Cincinnati residents who depend on plowed streets should check the city's snow plow tracker for current status before driving during winter storms. Drivers should allow extra travel time on residential streets, where the city has acknowledged plowing has lagged during recent storms.
The takeaway
Checking the plow tracker before winter travel can help you plan around delays. The city's new weather stations should give crews better data on when and where roads need treatment.
Further reading
For real-time road conditions in the area, see Current Conditions.
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Do you trust your city government to keep roads clear after snowstorms?
