Enhancing Ergonomics for Snowplow Drivers Prepared for The Clear Roads Technical Advisory Committee Prepared by

Transportation Synthesis Reports are brief summaries of currently available information on topics of interest to technical staff in departments of transportation. Online and print sources for TSRs include NCHRP and other TRB programs, AASHTO, the research and practices of transportation agencies, and related academic and industry research. Internet hyperlinks in TSRs are active at the time of publication, but changes on the host server can make them obsolete. Request for Report Snowplow drivers are sometimes required to drive and operate their equipment for many hours with little or no opportunity to take a break, stretch or relax for more than a few minutes. Drivers attest to the painful conditions they experience when the mental stress of driving is coupled with its physical demands. To date, very limited research has been conducted in the area of ergonomics and snowplow operation. Clear Roads, a winter maintenance pooled fund research project involving seven state DOTs, was interested in acquiring practical knowledge on the topic, and requested a review of literature and practices pertaining to ergonomics for snowplow operators. Summary We located a number of technologies, research studies and resources for guidance that address ergonomics issues relevant to snowplow drivers