Course Overview
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is dedicated to enhancing the safety of work zone workers through vigilant monitoring, continuous improvement, and proactive advancements. In partnership with FHWA, the University of South Florida (USF) is now offering a selection of free work zone training courses. This interactive webinar provides a comprehensive look at how Queue Protection Trucks (QPTs) are used to reduce end-of-queue crashes and enhance safety in work zones. Participants will explore the hazards posed by unexpected queues, review national and state-level guidelines, examine emerging technologies, and practice decision-making through real-world scenarios.
Using examples from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), and others, the session walks through proven approaches, equipment requirements, communication practices, and contract/pay-item considerations. Attendees will gain practical strategies for anticipating queue formation, positioning QPTs effectively, and integrating queue protection into work zone planning and operations.
Target Audience
This training is ideal for contractors, public agency staff, inspectors, designers, and anyone involved in work zone planning, deployment, or oversight.
Learning Objectives
- Explain the purpose and importance of Queue Protection Trucks and how they reduce secondary crashes.
- Identify current national and state guidelines related to queue protection, including the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and FHWA fundamentals and state Department of Transportation (DOT) program examples.
- Apply noteworthy practices for truck mounted attenuator and sign packages, deployment triggers, positioning strategies, and communication protocols.
- Recognize available research, tools, and innovations such as automated queue detection and connected-vehicle alerts.
- Analyze dynamic work zone scenarios to determine when and how QPTs should be used, how many are needed, and where they should be placed.
Instructor Bio
Todd Morrison, P.E. is a road safety advocate as a speaker, workshop instructor, and online trainer. For the past fifteen years he has worked for numerous Local Technical Assistance Programs, Cities, Counties, Contractors, and Departments of Transportation. He has taught over 900 workshops and trained over 27,000 individuals. He retired from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet after serving in the Divisions of Construction, Maintenance and Traffic. At the Cabinet, he worked with environmental, work zone, construction and maintenance concerns as a Resident/Construction Engineer, Maintenance/Traffic Engineer, Environmental Coordinator, and as a Branch Manager for Maintenance and Operations. Todd served for two years as Kentucky’s Safety Circuit Rider helping local agencies identify low-cost improvements to reduce crashes. He also served for two years as a Road Safety Subject Matter Expert for the Tribal Technical Assistance Program. Todd is an American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) certified Traffic Control Supervisor, Flagging Instructor, and Traffic Control Design Specialist. He is also a Certified Public Manager and National Highway Institute certified instructor.
RECORDINGS
Practices & Innovations for Queue Protection Truck Deployment in Work Zones 2-Part Series
Click the tabs below to view the recorded webinars.
⏱ 4 Hours
CERTIFICATES and CREDITS
4.0 PDHs (2.0 PDHs per Session)
-or-
Certificate of Completion – 4 Hours (120 Minutes per Session)
Watch the full webinar, then submit the form to request your certificate. Certificates are issued within 2-3 weeks.
Part 1 of 2: Understanding Risks, Requirements, and the Foundation of Queue Protection
This session introduces the dangers associated with work zone queues, explores crash data and liability factors, and walks through federal and state-level guidelines that inform QPT use and placement. Participants gain a strong understanding of the framework that supports queue protection in modern work zone operations.
Part 2 of 2: Applying Noteworthy Practices and Leveraging Innovation for Real-World Operations
Part 2 of the series explores recent research findings and provides the developed guidelines for effective pavement friction management. This session provides a high-level view of roadway screening processes, friction improvement prioritization, and methods for implementing safety projects. Attendees will explore GIS-based mapping, project selection techniques, and benefit-cost analyses, gaining tools to support decision-making for high-impact friction enhancements on critical roadway sections. Case studies illustrate these guidelines in action, with practical insights for integrating friction management strategies into broader safety initiatives.