Which of the following is a key factor in assessing snow clearance effectiveness?

Response time is a key factor in assessing snow clearance effectiveness because it directly impacts the ability of emergency services, commuters, and the general public to navigate safely and efficiently during and after snow events. The speed at which snow is cleared can determine the accessibility of roads, which is particularly critical during severe weather conditions. Timely response to snow accumulation ensures that limit disruptions to traffic flow and reduces the likelihood of accidents, facilitating a quicker return to normal road conditions.

This factor reflects how promptly clearing operations are executed, which involves planning, deployment of resources, and overall operational efficiency.

While other factors, such as the cost of maintenance, frequency of road use, and traffic signal effectiveness can play important roles in overall transportation management, they do not directly measure the immediate impact of snow clearance on road safety and accessibility. Therefore, response time stands out as the most crucial measure of effectiveness in the context of snow road clearance.