With the onset of winter, high-altitude mountain roads in China are often covered with snow and concealed ice, posing a significant danger while driving. In the section of the newly opened Leshan-Xichang Expressway in Leibo county, Sichuan province, southwestern China, an innovative intelligent loop heat pipe snow-melting system has been implemented. This technology is like laying "floor heating" on the road surface, automatically eliminating snow and concealed ice, thereby reducing driving risks.

To make this possible, eight-millimeter diameter heat pipes are embedded 15 centimeters below the wheel track area of the main road's surface. A total of 27 sections, comprising 92 groups of heat pipes are laid out, covering a length of 2,374 meters. This includes the exit area of the upward tunnel, the entrance area of the downward tunnel, and the long and steep slope bridge section.

This technology has established a closed-loop system of "perception - decision-making - execution." The laser snow depth meters, temperature and humidity sensors are fully covered. Based on the predicted kilometer-level ice and snow, together with data from AI models, satellites, the meteorological station and road surfaces, the power of the heat pipe can be automatically adjusted in accordance with the expected risk level.

The automatic start-up air source heat pump can preheat the heat medium to temperatures of 50 to 60 degrees Celsius. Through the efficient heat conduction of the heat pipe, the temperature of the wheel track is stably maintained and can automatically melt the ice within a range of one to two degrees Celsius.

Compared with traditional snow removal methods such as plowing, salting and the use of snow-melting agents, this new technology enables the transformation from passive ice clearance to proactive prevention and intelligent regulation.

This system has established a sophisticated meteorological monitoring network covering a five-kilometer area. It uses AI algorithms to achieve precise and dynamic temperature control, causing light snow to melt as it falls and heavy snow to melt quickly after being cleared by vehicles.