There have been many suggestions put forward over the years as alternatives to the Overnight Winter Parking Ban, including an alternate side parking system. A few of the reasons for not implementing such a policy are listed below:

•For small to moderate snow/ice events, a single overnight shift with parking prohibited usually provides adequate response. With an alternate side of the street policy in place, a double shift would have to be called regardless of the size of the snow event. For many events, this would automatically double the cost of the response.

• Winter conditions in HRM often result in snowfall being followed by rain or quick melting. To prevent the formation of black ice, snow must be cleared to the gutter on both sides of the street so that water will drain.

•If snow melts then freezes hard on one side of the street while awaiting to be cleared on the second night, plows will ride up over the hard ice or will plow up large blocks of ice which will then fill driveway openings. As residents are not often able to remove these large blocks of ice, special response may be required.