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The Colorado Department of Transportation is deploying neon-green Ford Super Duty crash protection trucks on Denver-area highways to shield emergency workers at roadside incidents. The trucks use illuminated move-over arrows and impact-absorbing attenuators; a CDOT official said one already took a collision on Oct. 10 while responders worked nearby.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is deploying neon-green Ford Super Duty crash protection trucks on Denver-area highways to help shield emergency workers at roadside incidents. The trucks use rear-facing illuminated arrows to direct approaching drivers to move over and impact-absorbing equipment to reduce the danger if a vehicle hits them.
According to a local news report cited by The Drive, the trucks are being introduced first on Interstate 25, Interstate 225 and Interstate 70 around Denver. The report says CDOT plans to extend the deployment to other parts of Colorado, though it does not provide a schedule or a final number of vehicles.
The trucks’ bright livery is intended to make them conspicuous at emergency scenes. Their rear-facing arrows tell traffic to move over, while rear-mounted attenuators are designed to absorb some of the force of a collision. Such attenuators are also used on vehicles protecting roadwork crews, including during construction-zone setup and roadside mowing.
A truck had already been hit by a driver approaching a crash scene on Oct. 10, CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew told reporters, according to the source report. Lew said the collision happened while first responders were tending to the scene and that the truck performed as designed. The source does not say whether anyone was injured or describe the extent of damage.
A Buffer Around Roadside Emergencies
Emergency workers face traffic while helping people at crash scenes, where stopped vehicles and responders may be close to moving lanes. A secondary collision can injure people who are already dealing with an incident, as well as drivers who arrive afterward. The trucks add a visible warning and a physical buffer between approaching traffic and responders.
The Oct. 10 collision, as described by Lew, illustrates the intended role of the equipment: the truck was struck instead of the responders working at the scene. That account does not establish how often the trucks will prevent injuries or crashes. Their effect will depend on factors such as driver behavior, placement and traffic conditions, but they are designed to provide another layer of protection where flashing emergency lights alone may not be enough.
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From Work Zones to Crash Scenes
High-visibility vehicles with impact attenuators are already used in roadwork settings. They commonly act as protective vehicles behind crews or equipment, where a collision could otherwise expose workers to traffic. Colorado’s plan applies similar equipment to emergency response scenes, rather than limiting it to planned construction or maintenance activity.
The approach also pairs a physical safety device with a direct instruction to motorists. The illuminated arrows signal drivers to move over, while the bright color is intended to make the truck easier to notice. The source report does not specify whether the trucks will be assigned to every emergency call, how they will be dispatched, or what operating procedures will govern their use.
Deployment Scale and Safety Results
Several details remain unreported in the material available here. It does not give the number of trucks CDOT is deploying, the timing for expansion beyond the Denver area, or whether the Oct. 10 collision caused injuries or significant vehicle damage. It also provides no figures comparing crashes before and after the trucks entered service.
Lew’s account is an official description of one incident, not a full evaluation of the program. The available information does not establish how often the trucks will be used, how their locations will be selected, or whether CDOT will publish results on collisions and responder safety.
Expansion Beyond Denver Highways
CDOT’s reported plan is to begin with I-25, I-225 and I-70 in the Denver area and then deploy the trucks elsewhere in Colorado. The source does not identify the next locations or dates. Further information from the department could clarify the fleet size, operating rules and how it will measure the trucks’ performance.
For now, motorists encountering an emergency scene should follow the illuminated directions and move over when safe. The trucks are intended as a protective layer, not a substitute for driver caution or for responders’ other traffic-control measures.
Key Questions
What are Colorado’s crash protection trucks?
They are neon-green Ford Super Duty trucks equipped with rear-facing illuminated arrows and impact attenuators. CDOT is deploying them to help protect responders at roadside emergencies.
Where will the trucks operate?
The initial deployment is reported on I-25, I-225 and I-70 around Denver. CDOT reportedly plans to extend the program to other parts of Colorado, but no schedule is provided.
How are the trucks meant to protect emergency workers?
The arrows tell drivers to move over, and the trucks’ attenuators are designed to absorb some impact if a vehicle crashes into them. They provide an additional barrier between traffic and responders.
Has one of the trucks already been hit?
Yes. CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew said a driver struck one on Oct. 10 while approaching a crash scene. Lew said the truck protected responders; the available report does not give injury or damage details.
Source: rss
