KEY

Green.png Unrestricted vehicle dispatches are authorized. Ideal road, temperature, and visibility conditions exist. Drivers will observe normal precautions and speed limits.
Yellow.png Ideal road, temperature, and visibility conditions do not exist (table H-1). If a road condition marked with an asterisk in the Amber category is reported, commanders (para 3-9) will declare Amber road conditions. Increased driving times, hazardous road conditions, and driver experience must be considered in dispatching vehicles under Amber conditions. Under Amber conditions, unit commanders (captains and above) may authorize dispatches for their vehicles and garrison directors of public works (DPWs) or primary staff (S1, S2, S3, and S4) may authorize their vehicle dispatches. 
Red.png Only mission-essential and emergency-essential vehicle dispatches are authorized. Road, temperature, and visibility conditions are equal to or worse than those noted in table H-1. If one or more of the conditions marked with an asterisk in the Red category are reported, commanders (para 3-9) will declare road conditions Red. The dispatch record for mission- and emergency-essential vehicles must be marked “mission- and emergency-essential.” Garrison commanders and battalion-level commanders may authorize dispatches of mission-essential vehicles. DPWs and chiefs of building and grounds and operation maintenance may approve mission-essential dispatches during Red road conditions to provide emergency support and for snow and ice removal. A risk assessment must be completed before dispatch. 
 
NOTE: Drivers of military vehicles passing through areas that have declared Red road conditions should contact their chain of command and evaluate the risk of continuing the mission. Weather and road conditions must be part of all mission riskmanagement decisions.
Black.png

Only emergency-essential vehicle dispatches are authorized. Road, temperature, and visibility conditions are equal to or worse than those noted in table H-1. If one or more of the conditions marked with an asterisk in the Black category are reported, commanders (para 3-9) must declare road conditions Black. The dispatch record for emergency-essential vehicles (for example, ambulances, emergency engineer, fire, police) must be marked “emergency-essential.” Chiefs of appropriate offices (for example, DPW, fire, medical activity, provost marshal) may authorize dispatches of emergency vehicles. Garrison and brigade-level commanders and above may authorize dispatches of their emergency vehicles. A risk assessment must be completed before dispatch. 
 
NOTE: Drivers of military vehicles passing through garrisons that have declared Black road conditions should contact their chain of command and evaluate the risk of continuing the mission. Weather and road conditions must be part of all mission risk-management decisions. 

 

Road Condition

Road Surface

Snow

Ice

Snow Depth

Visibility

Temperature
GREEN Dry None or blowing powder None None More than 50 meters Above 35F (+2C)
AMBER Wet Packed slush Patches of black ice and slush Less than 4 inches Between 20 and 50 meters Between 30 F (-1C) and 35F (+2C)
RED Flooded Drifting Sheet ice Between 4 and 8 inches Between 15 and 20 meters Between 10F (-12C) and 30F (-1C)
BLACK Heavily flooded Heavy drifting Extreme sheet ice More than 8 inches Less than 15 meters Less than 10F (-12C)