When you’re driving through hills or mountains, you might notice that there are off-ramps that end in complete dead-ends. For an ordinary motorist, these are just curiosities. But for anyone driving a big truck, these ramps could make the difference between life and death.
These dead-end ramps are runaway truck ramps. When a truck driver cannot brake, they can turn off onto the ramp to avoid causing an accident.
But how does a truck run away, to begin with, and how do the ramps work? Let’s take a closer look.
A fully-loaded truck is heavy – up to 80,000 pounds on American highways. This mass gives a truck an incredible amount of momentum, making it difficult to stop. Moreover, when a large truck is traveling downhill, the weight of the load makes it speed up more quickly than a regular passenger vehicle.
Complicating matters is the fact that truck drivers need to maintain momentum on an uphill slope. Diesel fuel isn’t cheap, and losing momentum on an uphill climb can cost a lot of fuel. When the truck reaches the crest of the hill, it needs to slow down. If the driver doesn’t reduce speed, they can run into trouble on the downhill slope.
When a truck travels over the crest of a hill, it will begin to pick up speed. Ideally, the driver will already have slowed down and reduced gear. But if they haven’t, their only solution is to apply the drum brakes. Experienced drivers will activate the jake brake as the downhill slope begins to reduce acceleration further.
Unfortunately, a truck’s brakes might not be strong enough to reduce speed on a downhill slope with a heavy load. Even if they do, there’s a chance that the trailer could keep moving forward, jackknife, and pose a hazard to other drivers.
On the other hand, if the driver cannot slow down, the truck becomes dangerous to everyone else on the road. It turns into a multi-ton battering ram that can cause unbelievable damage.
A runaway truck ramp helps to stop an out-of-control truck safely. These started appearing in the 1960s and have since become a staple of the American highway system. You'll see them frequently while driving through the Rockies or the Appalachians.
Runaway truck ramps come in different designs. Most consist of gravel or sand, which creates a lot of friction and brings the truck to a stop. Some runaway truck ramps use wire nets with breakaways instead. The ramp will typically be marked with a yellow sign, making it easy for drivers to identify.
In most cases, a runaway truck ramp will have an uphill slope. This uses the power of gravity to slow the truck further. That said, an uphill ramp isn’t always practical. In these situations, a runaway truck ramp may be level.
Let’s say you’re behind the wheel of a semi and find yourself losing control of your speed. The brakes aren’t working, and there’s a long downhill stretch in front of you. How do you handle the situation?
1. Stay calm. It’s easy to say this when you’re not driving an out-of-control semi, but it’s critical to maintain your composure. Many drivers try to pull off to the side immediately and jerk the wheel. Doing this can cause the trailer to jackknife or even flip over. Instead, take a deep breath, and look ahead. See if there’s a runaway truck ramp or another safe area where you can pull off the highway. If there’s nothing in sight, focus on slowing the truck and staying in your lane as best as possible.
2. Use the jake brake. The jake brake will use your engine to slow the truck, even if your drum brakes aren’t working. It’s not a perfect solution – you might still be accelerating. But it buys you time and can keep you from reaching a speed where the truck becomes genuinely uncontrollable. If nothing else, you’ll have more time to find an off-ramp.
3. Call dispatch. Depending on your situation, this may not be practical. But if at all possible, let your dispatcher know what’s going on and where you are. That way, your dispatcher can alert first responders that there’s a runaway truck.
4. Turn onto the runaway truck ramp. Once you’ve found a runaway truck ramp, turn your truck gently into it, staying as close to the center as possible. Brace yourself, and do your best to keep the truck centered. The steering wheel may be hard to control when you hit sand or gravel.
5. Assess the situation. Once the truck has stopped, take a minute to reassess. You’re probably shaken up at this point, but check yourself for injuries. If you’re in shock, you may not realize at first that you’re hurt. Think about your load, too. Are there flammable or hazardous materials that could pose an immediate danger? These will dictate your next steps.
6. Call emergency services. Unless you’re in immediate danger (for example, your load is on fire), call 911 and let them know what happened. If you are in danger, get clear of the truck first, then call 911 when you’re at a safe distance.
7. Turn off your engine. If it’s safe to leave the vehicle, shut off your engine and walk back towards the side of the highway. Make sure to collect any important paperwork and your essential personal belongings. If you’re injured, remain in place and wait for an ambulance to arrive.
Runaway truck ramps are an essential safety feature on highways with sharp inclines and declines. Without them, the road would be much less safe. If you ever need to use a runaway truck ramp, remember to stay calm, keep your wheel straight, and brace yourself. On a well-designed ramp, you should have no trouble at all.
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