BEVERLY HILLS, Mich. -- The Road Commission for Oakland County said it will use a "sensible salting" philosophy this winter to save money and help out the environment.

The RCOC said it will spread less salt per mile of roadway -- or about 400 pounds of salt for every mile of two lanes of pavement as opposed to previously spreading up to 800 pounds.

“This move should save RCOC money that otherwise would have been spent on salt, while helping the environment and, at the same time, having little impact on motorist safety,” RCOC Board Chairman Richard Skarritt said in a statement. “We are committed to providing the most cost-effective winter road maintenance possible, without compromising motorist safety.”

Skarritt said the reduction does not compromise safety because of new "pre-wetting" devices that increase the efficiency of salt spreaders -- meaning less salt is required to achieve the same level of ice removal.

RCOC said a mandate from the Michigan Department of Transportation that no more than 450 pounds per two-lane mile be spread on state highways was also a factor in their implementation of less salting.

RCOC said MDOT will use calibration equipment to monitor the amount of salt being spread, and that RCOC will use its own computerized salt spreaders that will adjust depending on the speed of the salt truck.

RCOC said the new guidelines will also allow salt trucks to stay on the road longer before having to return to be refilled.