Feasibility of Developing a Pilot Car Training and Certification Program in Alabama. UCTA Theme: Management and Safety Transportation Systems

摘要

Only 11 states currently require certification for drivers of the escort vehicles (pilot cars) that accompany oversize/overweight loads. Alabama currently does not require driver certification, but The Alabama Department of Transportation has interest in establishing certification requirements and in teaching a certification course. This report describes investigations into three areas of pilot car driver certification to help determine if certification and reciprocity with other states is feasible in Alabama: (1) Modifying the escort driver section of 32-9-29, Code of Alabama (1975) to update them and to make them more uniform with other southeastern states. Suggested modifications have been written, but they will not take effect in Alabama without being adopted under the Administrative Procedures Act. (2) Producing teaching materials and a plan to teach the certification course if it is authorized. The University Transportation Center for Alabama submitted a proposal to ALDOT to write/modify training materials and teach the first five to eight sessions of a pilot car driver certification course. The proposal has been funded, and the training courses will be ready to be taught before August 15, 2011. (3) Educating truckers about the permit requirements and pilot car requirements for oversize/overweight loads, in addition to other trucking issues.