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Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operators Best Practices Guidelines for Law Enforcement Escorts

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United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration

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

Publication #: FHWA HOP-16-071

February 2017


Table of Contents

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

1. BEST PRACTICES GUIDELINES
2. LAW ENFORCEMENT ESCORTS
TASK #1: PLANNING FOR THE ESCORT
A. Obtain a Copy of All Permits
B. Verify the Load is the Size and Weight Stated in the Permit
C. Review the Route Plan
D. Determine the Number of Law Enforcement Escort Vehicles Needed Based on the Permit and Jurisdictional Requirements
E. Compile a List of Contacts
F. Ensure a Reliable Means of Communication is Available
G. Ensure a Plan for En Route Assistance is Established as Called for in the Permits
H. Develop a Contingency Plan
TASK #2: MAKE THE INITIAL ON-SITE CONTACT
A. Introduce Yourself
B. Perform an Inspection of the Transport Vehicle(s) and Driver(s)
C. Check the Pilot Car Driver(S) and Escort Vehicle(S) for Required Equipment and Certifications
D. Review All Permits to Ensure that They Are Appropriate for the Load
E. Review the Route Plan
TASK #3: PLAN EN-ROUTE COMMUNICATIONS AND VEHICLE POSITIONING
A. Discuss the Roles and Responsibilities of Everyone Involved in the Movement of the Load
B. Identify a Lead Contact for the Entire Escort
C. Coordinate and Test All Communications Equipment
D. Identify Who Will Make Notifications When Necessary
E. Determine Where Vehicles Will Be Located and When They Will Be There
TASK #4: PLAN EN-ROUTE COMMUNICATIONS AND VEHICLE POSITIONING
A. Monitor Communications with All Other Vehicles in the Convoy
B. Ensure the Movement Is Proceeding Lawfully at All Times
C. Ensure All Procedures and Special Conditions Mandated by Permit(s) are Followed
D. Maintain and Facilitate Traffic Control
E. Activate the Contingency Plan if Necessary, Including Safe Stopping Points
F. Monitor Progress of the Movement, Paying Attention to Time Constraints
TASK #5: DEBRIEF AND DEPART
A. Conduct Debrief
SUMMARY
3. ESCORT CHECKLIST
Prepare for the Escort
Make the Initial On-site Contact
Plan En-route Communications and Vehicle Positioning
Safety Escort the Oversize/Overweight Movement
Debrief and Depart

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U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration Office of Operations
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590
Toll-Free "Help Line" 866-367-7487

www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov

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