The real reason for the existence of ISR is the location of the University on the Keweenaw Peninsula.
The center is located on the peninsula in the middle of Lake Superior.
This location gives the area an average of almost 25 feet of lake effect snow annually.
Snowfalls occur almost daily during the month of December.
The temperature during the winter is relatively warm due to the lake effect.
This combination of snow and temperatures generally above 0 degrees Fahrenheit make the area ideal for winter maintenance and mobility research.
Russ Alger is the Chief Scientist for the ISR.
He has been involved in winter related research for over 25 years.
His expertise in the field is known worldwide.
He has been involved in numerous research projects involving all aspects of snow and winter related problems.
He is the author of the Snowmobile Trail Grooming Handbook for the State of Michigan, has conducted an array of tests involving the control of snow, ice, and frost on pavements using chemicals and varied application scenarios, is a co-designer of a
revolutionary new method to groom snowmobile trails and develop snow runways, and has worked in many aspects of mobility in both deep and shallow snow.
Mr. Alger was one of the lead snow scientists in a 1,500 mile traverse through parts of Antarctica to help develop an overland route to the South Pole for NSF.
He is a member of several snowmobile related committees and groups, a member of the ASTM F-9 Winter Tire Committee, a member of the SAE Committee G-15 - Anti-icing and Equipment, has authored a number of papers on related topics, and given
presentations at several conferences.