Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operators Training Manual

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Contact Information: Freight Feedback at FreightFeedback@dot.gov

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
Office of Operations
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590

Publication #: FHWA HOP-16-050

February 2017

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Table of Contents

[ Notice and Quality Assurance Statement ] [ Technical Report Documentation Page ]

MODULE 1: COURSE INTRODUCTION AND INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
	LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION
	LESSON 2: PILOT ESCORT INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
		Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator Industry Safety Efforts
		Industry Evolution and the Lack of Uniformity
		Deaths in Large Truck Crashes
		Regulation of Trucks and Drivers
		Role of Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operators
		Reasons for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator Certification
		Professionalism in the Industry
	LESSON 3: COURSE AND TRAINING MANUAL STRUCTURE
		The Certification Examination
MODULE 2: PILOT ESCORT OPERATOR AND VEHICLE EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
	LESSON 1: PILOT ESCORT OPERATOR REQUIREMENTS
		Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator Certification and Reciprocity among States
	LESSON 2: ESCORT VEHICLE EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
		Looking Ahead
		Benefits of CBs over Cell Phones
MODULE 3: ROUTE PLANNING
	LESSON 1: ROUTE SELECTION AND REVIEW
	LESSON 2: ROUTE SURVEY
		Route Survey Tools
		Route Survey Procedures
		Route Survey Contents
		Railroad Crossings
		Route Survey Evaluation
MODULE 4: PRE-TRIP ACTIVITIES
	LESSON 1: PRE-TRIP PLANNING AND PROCEDURES
		Assignment Confirmation
	LESSON 2: PRE-TRIP SAFETY MEETING
		Communication Issues
		Establishing Team Dynamics
		Load Issues
		Hazardous Materials
		Permit and Route Review
		When Pre-Trip Activities Are Not Possible: The Modified Pre-Trip Meeting
	LESSON 3: VEHICLE INSPECTIONS
		Pre-Trip Inspections and Opportunity Inspections
MODULE 5: TRIP OPERATIONS
		Characteristics of Oversize Loads
		Parking and Backing Issues
		Stopping Distances
	LESSON 1: LOAD MOVEMENT—THE ROLE OF PILOT/ESCORT VEHICLE OPERATORS
		Permits
		Load Movement Preparation
		Inspection and Monitoring During Load Movement
		Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operators Responsibilities
		Role of the Lead Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator
		Seeing Hazards
		Role of Rear Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator
		Load-related Hazards
	LESSON 2: EQUIPMENT DEPLOYMENT AND OPERATION
		Flagging Equipment
		Emergency Equipment
		Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator Special Skills
	LESSON 3: ROADWAY POSITIONS AND PROCEDURES
		Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator Positions
	LESSON 4: TRAFFIC CONTROL OPERATIONS
		Equipment for Controlling Traffic
		Traffic Control Authority
	LESSON 5: RAILROAD CROSSINGS
		Oversize Load Issues
		Route Survey Issues
		Types of Crossings
		Procedures for Negotiating Railroad Crossings
		Railroad Crossing Safety Reminders
	LESSON 6: EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
		Traffic Emergencies
		Vehicle Emergencies
		Emergency Roadside Parking/Breakdowns
MODULE 6: POST-TRIP RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES
	LESSON 1: AFTER THE TRIP – VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT TASKS
		Warning Lights
		Oversize Load Signs and Flags
		Height Pole
		Data for Trip Log
	LESSON 2: POST-TRIP EVALUATION
		Assignment Evaluation
		Route Survey Evaluation
		Communication Equipment and Procedures Evaluation
		Emergency Response Evaluation
	LESSON 3: WRITTEN REPORTS AND TRIP LOGS
MODULE 7: DRIVER SAFETY ISSUES
	LESSON 1: DISTRACTIONS
	LESSON 2: DROWSY DRIVING (FATIGUE)
		Hours of Service Rules
		Dangers of Drowsy Driving/Fatigue
		Recognizing Danger Signs of Drowsiness and Fatigue
		Fatigue and Vision
		Preventing Drowsy Driving
	LESSON 3: AGGRESSION
		What Can a Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator Do To Minimize Aggressive Behavior?
		What Can a Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator Do If Confronted by an Aggressive Driver?
	LESSON 4: GENERAL SAFE DRIVING PRACTICES
		Driving in Adverse Conditions
		Managing Speed and Space
		Braking Tips
		Managing Space
	LESSON 5: SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES
		Other Safety Technologies and Strategies
MODULE 8: COURSE EXAM AND EVALUATION
GLOSSARY
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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