It is the responsibility of the station supervisor to ensure all maintenance personnel have a working and operating knowledge of the equipment used to perform their work. They must also ensure all assigned equipment in their station is being serviced, cleaned, maintained, greased, and cared for according to UDOT service requirements while recording and documenting the services in the provided UDOT equipment service log (equipment jackets).

The supervisor instructs and provides station-specific training to their maintenance staff and encourages transportation technicians to register and take the necessary Transportation Education Program (TEP) courses to advance their knowledge and understanding of equipment operations/management. The supervisor also coordinates with the region trainer for additional or specialized training, such as UDOT equipment simulators. 

Equipment Reference Guide Link 

Mack Servicing Reference Guide Link

The TT-III’s are responsible for coaching and mentoring the transportation technicians (TT’s) and for providing them with seat time and OJT training. The TT-III’s assist the TT’s with basic operating skills and safety procedures before they are allowed to operate the equipment on their own. TT-III’s work with station supervisors to ensure all TT’s are receiving any specialized training and are registered for the TEP program.

Region trainers are expected to determine an annual training plan that addresses operational equipment deficiencies in concert with station supervisors. Region trainers then coordinate, schedule, and conduct the necessary equipment training for the maintenance stations. The region trainers also work with Central Maintenance and the Learning and Development group to establish, update, and provide equipment training as part of the TEP program. They are tasked with providing information on updated training and equipment requirements to the Regions. They assist all TT’s with registering and taking the necessary TEP courses.

Each Region holds an annual training event called the “Equipment Proficiency Day”. This event allows the maintenance personnel to showcase their operating skills while competing in numerous events using various pieces of equipment. This event provides an opportunity for maintenance personnel to share ideas, identify areas for more specialized training, and discuss techniques they have learned while operating equipment. The Roadeo also provides an opportunity for employees who do not work in maintenance to observe and operate the equipment in a controlled environment.

L&D provides various modes of training for maintenance equipment operations. The L&D group provides simulator training on the latest brands and models of equipment.This experience gives the user the opportunity to become familiar with the different types of equipment controls and create proficiency while providing a safe operating environment. Coordinate with the region maintenance trainers to schedule a training session on the simulators. The L&D group is also tasked with managing, coordinating, updating, and rolling out new training for the TEP program. They work with the Regions to identify where training is needed and provide the necessary training either through the TEP program or UDOT University. Both the TEP program and UDOT University will be discussed in greater detail in Chapter 6 Training.

UDOT Maintenance use radios during snow removal and other maintenance operations to keep employees informed/connected and to maintain critical communication. The radios are also used during emergency situations; they help provide valuable information through Dispatch or the Traffic Operation Center to relay valuable information for emergency responders.

There is a standard protocol and etiquette for communicating when using UDOT provided radios:

• Identify and know what station you’re on the radio before you call out to Dispatch/Traffic Operation Center etc.

• Listen briefly to make sure no one is using the channel.

• Identify who you are calling (e.g. Salt Lake/TOC), and then yourself as 9 Alpha Mike (9 Alpha is UDOT).

• Be professional, speak clearly, and be descriptive of location (I-15 northbound at 600 north, number 1-lane) as you communicate the need for help.

• Become familiar with and use the Utah 10-Code Link .

• Dispatch and the TOC are very busy: if there is no response, wait a minute and try again.

UDOT currently has three brands of radios they are using while phasing out the older Motorola radio that will not meet future requirements as shown in Figure 7.2.4. The two radios they are using moving forward are the “mobile” Motorola APEX 6000 and the Kenwood VM500. The following link is an operation video the use of the VM 5000 radio: How to use The VM 5000 Radio Video Link