Frequently Asked Questions

Operation of the ATMA includes a Leader/Follower configuration. A human-driven leader vehicle is followed by an driverless follower vehicle (the ATMA). The leader vehicle is outfitted with a NAV Module. This module contains a GPS receiver, system computer, digital compass, and a transceiver. It transmits GPS position data called "eCrumbs" back to the follower vehicle, which then uses the data to follow the exact path and speed of the Leader vehicle at each point along the route. The NAV Module can be easily unstrapped and removed from one vehicle and installed on another if a different leader vehicle is required. Click here to learn more!

No. While TMA trucks can be used to protect your workers in many different types of operations, one area we’ve seen TMA trucks increasingly used in is traffic incident management.  Emergency responders, including law enforcement, fire/EMS personnel, and tow truck operators, are often left dangerously working in direct exposure to passing traffic.  With a TMA present, these workers can effectively and safely work on the operation at hand.  

Extremely! In 2020, there were over 800 fatalities in work zones across the country. Just last year, 67% of highway contractors in the United States reported crashes in their construction work zones. In fact work zone crashes have become so common that it’s no longer if a crash occurs but rather when it will occur. Given these concerning statistics, not having a TMA truck in your work zone leaves your work crews exposed to errant drivers and puts them at risk of significant injury or even death. For the latest statistics, visit the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse.

The most important reason is to keep your work zone and workers safe. Each year in the US, a work zone crash occurs approximately every 5 minutes. It has become almost inevitable that a highway worker will experience at least one, if not more, crashes in their career.

Yes. If you plan to utilize the truck on roads with speed limit of greater than 60mph, your TMA truck should have a minimum operating weight of 20,000lbs +/- 1,000lbs. An attenuator truck that does not meet this recommended weight is susceptible to an increased roll ahead distance.  In the event of a crash, this puts working crew members in potential danger, increasing the likelihood of injuries or fatalities.

A TMA truck with air brakes, in a staionary work zone, with the parking brakes applied, has both rear brakes (which are substantially larger) engaged by springs. In a TMA truck with hydraulic brakes, the parking brake is applied with a hand lever attached by a cable. In the event of an impact with significant G Force the parking brake could fail, allowing the vehicle to free wheel into the active work zone, endargering the lives and safety of the men and women working in front of it.

In the United States, there is no formal training required to be a TMA truck driver.  However if you are considering driving a TMA truck, we recommend looking into training offered by ATSSA (American Traffic Safety Services Association), specifically the course for "Operation and Application of Truck-Mounted Attenuators (TMAs)".

No. You should never raise or lower the attenuator while the truck is in motion. Always come to a complete stop, park the vehicle, and ensure the area around your TMA truck is clear before deploying or stowing the attenuator.

Routine maintenance is required to ensure that your TMA truck is operating properly and continuously providing the needed level of safety to protect workers in the work zone. For more information about how to properly maintain your TMA, watch our Maintenance Series videos.  If you own a Royal truck and have questions about maintenance, contact our Service and Parts Team. 

Roll ahead distance, or RAD, is the distance a TMA will be displaced in the event of an impact. This is extremely important to know so your attenuator truck does not roll into your work zone. Many states require a specific distance between the truck and workers. Learn more here.

No. Attenuators (both truck mounted and trailer mounted) are considered sacrificial “life saving devices that are purposely placed in harm’s way.” As such, its value is measured by its ability to perform. The only time its value can ever be depreciated is if it can no longer attenuate the energy from a crash into it to the same degree it did when it was new. At that point, it must be removed from service and repaired/replaced.

An attenuator's crashworthiness is determined through tests outlined in the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). A MASH-approved TMA is an attenuator that has passed all of the tests outlined in this manual.  As these critical safety tests are made to replicate real world crash scenarios, we highly recommend only having MASH-approved attenuators on the trucks in your fleet.

The NCHRP Report 350 was the original set of testing parameters and uniform guidelines that represented recommended procedures for the performance evaluation of permanent and temporary highway safety features. MASH was first published in 2009 and was updated in 2016 – it became the replacement for the NCHRP 350. MASH expands upon the testing requirements listed in the NCHRP 350 Report and primarily focuses on test vehicles, impact condition criteria and evaluation criteria. Key to the new guidelines is that they also address the question of when MASH-tested and approved attenuators must be used on TMA trucks.

The ATMA (Autonomous TMA) truck is a self-driving TMA truck that operates completely driverless in a Follower mode when paired with a Leader vehicle. This eliminates the need for a worker to drive a vehicle that is intended to be hit. The innovative technology was first developed for use by the U.S. military and has since been adapted for the roadway construction industry through our partnership with Kratos Defense. Read more about our Autonomous TMA Truck.

As soon as possible, especially if you need to rent more than one truck. TMA trucks are becoming necessary in many more roadway construction operations across the U.S. so finding available trucks is increasingly difficult, especially during peak season.  By contacting us as soon as possible, you are more likely to secure your rentals. Through our national Royal Rental Network, we will always work with you to connect you with the trucks you need whenever and wherever you need them! To learn more about our Rental Network or to request a rental, visit our TMA truck rentals page.

Underutilized fleets are a harsh reality for many organizations. Needing specialized vehicles for different operations leads to long periods of inactivity when they are not in use. To help our customers maximize their fleet utilization, we've developed the 3-in-1 (stake body truck, TMA truck, cone safety truck) and the Hook 'N Go truck. Both multi-purpose trucks can be altered in minutes for your varying operations. Learn more about our multi-purpose trucks for your fleet.

A comprehensive training program is a critical step in ensuring your workers are performing their jobs safely. Traditional training programs such as video, text, and classroom instruction are effective methods for teaching work zone safety however they fall short in experiencing work zone safety. Virtual Reality training (or VR, for short) has been developed to bridge this gap and better prepare workers for the reality of work zone dangers.  VR allows them to experience what it feels like to be in a work zone, firsthand, but from the safety of an office.  Learn more about VR training for safer work zones here.