Best Practices in Permitting of Oversize and Overweight Vehicles: Final Report

CHAPTER 10: PILOT CAR TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS

The pilot car training and certification programs environmental scan was conducted by:

• Reviewing the deliverables from the Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator training materials and model certification whitepaper project, in particular the following documents:
  • 2016 Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator (P/EVO) Best Practices Guidelines.
  • 2016 P/EVO Best Practices Guidelines for Law Enforcement Escorts.
  • 2016 P/EVO Model Certification Whitepaper.
  • 2016 P/EVO Training Manual.
• Conducting an interview with the National Pilot Car Association.

Reference #1:

Federal Highway Administration, P/EVO 2016 Best Practices Guidelines, FHWA-HOP-16-051 (Washington, DC: FHWA, 2016).

The Best Practices Guidelines document summarizes the results of extensive research, review, and analysis of existing P/EVO training materials, laws and rules relevant to P/EVOs, and case studies and other information focused on the movement of oversize loads. The document includes sections on:

• Pre-trip planning, including assignment confirmation, route review, escort vehicle and equipment preparation, and driver document checklist.
• Pre-trip safety meeting, including a review of task assignments, communications planning, communications equipment testing, and a review of load limitations and the permitted route.
• Load movement, including knowing the load, knowing the laws and regulatory requirements for each jurisdiction that is included along the route, knowing how to position vehicles in compliance with State regulations and permit requirements, and preparing for load movement.
• Traffic control, including knowing the laws about flagging and traffic control authority in each jurisdiction, what equipment to have and how to use it, and defensive flagging guidelines.
• Special challenges, such as railroad crossing, operating with a tillerman on a steerable trailer, and tall loads and overhanging obstructions.
• Emergency planning and preparedness, including what to plan for and ensuring that contact information is on-hand.
• Conducting post trip activities once the load is delivered.
• Conducting a post-trip evaluation and assessment.

The document was used to identify the technical content that State training and certification courses should include to ensure that P/EVOs have the necessary core competencies to operate safely and meet State certification requirements.

Reference #2:

Federal Highway Administration, 2016 P/EVO Model Certification Whitepaper, FHWA-HOP-16-052 (Washington, DC: FHWA 2016).

At present, there is neither a national certification program for P/EVO nor any national guidelines for States to follow to harmonize training and certification requirements. The intent of the Model Certification Whitepaper is to provide States with a framework that can be used in conjunction with the 2016 P/EVO Best Practices Guidelines and training course to harmonize training and certification requirements. The Whitepaper is based on the use of the Best Practices Guidelines as de facto national guidelines and outlines the process by which States can use these and establish harmonized certification programs. The Whitepaper is designed to be flexible to accommodate State-specific requirements and the use of the Whitepaper by a State or States is voluntary.

The proposed model certification framework includes the following provisions:

Purpose	Voluntary program to promote harmonization of State pilot/escort vehicle operator (P/EVO) training and certification requirements. To encourage reciprocity among States based on consistent training requirements.
Program Governance	State designates a lead agency responsible for program management and oversight. State establishes certification and recertification criteria. The lead State agency is responsible for determining the delivery model of training and certification programs – State personnel,third-party service provider, or academic institution. The lead State agency is responsible for issuing certification credentials to P/EVOs and maintaining a database of certified P/EVOs in the State both newly certified and re-certified.
Initial Certification	Certification is based on demonstrating understanding of training materials and any State-specific requirements. Certification is based on passing a post-course test that assesses understanding of materials presented in each course module and overall course. Certification is valid for 4 years.
Recertification	State will establish recertification criteria. Recertification is based on demonstrating continued understanding of training materials, State-specific requirements, and the passing of a post-course test. Lead State agency will oversee recertification program and issue P/EVO recertification credentials.
Program Operations	Training and certification program materials available to all States. Best Practice Guidelines serve as nationally accepted guidelines for training and certification. Training is conducted using model training program materials. Lead State agency will oversee distribution of training materials and test bank questions to trainers – State personnel, third-party service providers. Lead State agency will review test results and other certification criteria established by the State and issue P/EVO certification credentials to successful applicants.

The model framework was used to identify best practices criteria for program governance and certification/recertification requirements.

National Pilot Car Association Interview

An interview with the National Pilot Car Association included a wide-ranging discussion of many topics, including the identification of States with training and certification programs that match well with the Best Practice Guidelines and the Model Certification Framework. The States identified were Washington State, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma and Florida. The details of that interview are provided in the next section of this report.

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