QR codes will be added to Perth and Kinross Council grit bins this winter to make it more straightforward to report empty bins.
It is one of a range of changes to PKC's winter maintenance policy unanimously approved by councillors this week.
The plans were outlined in a report put before PKC's Environment, Infrastructure and Economic Development Committee on Wednesday, September 21 for approval.
The report by Road Maintenance Partnership manager Stuart D'All revealed PKC is looking at introducing QR codes to its grit bins. While unlikely to be added for the start of this winter Mr D'All told councillors of hopes to introduce them mid-season.
He described keeping over 1,600 grit bins fully stocked as "challenging" particularly when demand is high. It is hoped adding a QR code will allow a "quick and easy way" of reporting an empty grit bin, reducing the workload for office staff.
Highland Perthshire councillor John Duff asked what the cost and value of this would be when empty grit bins can already be reported through the online portal MyPKC.
Mr D'All said they were still in the early stages of discussion with IT over the practicalities. He explained there was not only sometimes an issue over identifying the exact location of a reported empty grit bin but over perceptions of what constitutes an empty bin.
He said: "The idea is it would be positioned in such a location that where you took an image of the QR code you also got an image of the grit bin. So when we went out and filled it we could take an image of the grit bin and the QR code - just to demonstrate it had been filled."
Cllr Duff asked if QR codes could be added to litter bins too. Street-lights are already numbered.
Executive director of Communities Barbara Renton said: "I think we would want to trial it and see if it works.
"It is to take a little bit of pressure off crews so they can concentrate on the most important things."
This winter will also see PKC switch from marine to rock salt in a bid to save money. The report revealed rising shipping costs had led to marine salt prices - transported over from Spain - rising "considerably". While marine salt will still be used on footway ploughs it is hoped the move to rock salt - from Yorkshire - will save cash.
The committee was told last winter was "less severe" with just eight days of snow ploughing compared to 37 days the previous winter. It saw a 38 per cent decrease in the amount of salt spread - a decrease of 9,290 tonnes from 24,158 to 14,868 tonnes.
Around 565 miles of PKC's 1553 miles of road network is designated as a high priority for winter service. The Scottish Government is responsible for trunk roads within Perth and Kinross.
A shortage of HGV/LGV drivers is another challenge facing Tayside Contracts who staff the gritters for the council. The committee was told "various initiatives" were being pursued, including using the sub-contract supply chain, to fill rota gaps.
PKC benefits from "invaluable" voluntary arrangements with 68 farmers who are supplied with snow ploughs - which they attach to their tractors - to clear snow on specified stretches of public road as well as their own private roads.
Winter maintenance cover will begin on October 17 and run until April 2, 2023.
