New PennDOT plows

[NPS Ranger]

Does anyone know the brand/model of the new amber LED modules now being installed in the top front corners of the dump box on these trucks? They're the brightest amber LED's I've ever seen, brighter than any amber lightbar modules I can remember. I was thinking maybe M7's but they seem brighter. Been resisting the urge to climb up there and look but maybe I will sometime.


Very effective and a good choice. Anyone who used them for primary rear warning would be getting their money's worth.

 

[TritonBoulder47]

I have yet to see a PennDOT truck on the road this season (cause the suck in my area) so I couldn't tell ya... lol

 

[cse04]

With the pictures I could find they look to be Whelen 400 Series with amber lenses.

 

[ff168577]

400 series split level.

 

[RescueWV]

They're very effective. All the heads flash simultaneously in a nice slow flash pattern that does a good job of saying "Hey! I'm working here!" without being too distracting or looking like an emergency vehicle.


The new trucks are also getting high-vis reflective chevrons on the rear-end that look very nice. The only downside is it's pretty much identical to the NFPA standard chevron... Not a bad thing, but if people are seeing chevrons all the time on the plows, it might de-sensitize them to seeing them on fire trucks. One can HOPE that someone would see either and know "okay, time to slow down and give them plenty of room" but I think we all know that's not the case.

 

[ff168577]

They're very effective. All the heads flash simultaneously in a nice slow flash pattern that does a good job of saying "Hey! I'm working here!" without being too distracting or looking like an emergency vehicle.

The new trucks are also getting high-vis reflective chevrons on the rear-end that look very nice. The only downside is it's pretty much identical to the NFPA standard chevron... Not a bad thing, but if people are seeing chevrons all the time on the plows, it might de-sensitize them to seeing them on fire trucks. One can HOPE that someone would see either and know "okay, time to slow down and give them plenty of room" but I think we all know that's not the case.

The theory on universal chevrons in Pa is to give people the sense, that there is someone working in the roadway, I will merge to another lane and slow down. It's more of a way to train drivers over time. It will happen eventually but it is going to take time.

 

[dmathieu]

Here's a possible answer as to why these Whelen heads look so bright.


Go to the 5th block down on the page.


http://www.pavementvideo.org/2011_EMTSP/PDF/5%20-%20EMTSP%20-%20Presentation-Whelen.pdf


The Phillips site notes that the PC amber LEDs deliver 4-5 x more light output than standard LEDs.

 

[NJEMT]

Did anyone check further down and see the heated lens? Thats cool.

 

[dmathieu]

http://elightbars.org/forums/f13/whelen-amber-light-emitting-diode-upgrades-brighter-heated-lenses-hardcoat-23083/

 

[tmtrev]

I just saw another one today and was wondering the same thing. What the where...bright as sh!t.

 

[NPS Ranger]

The Phillips site notes that the PC amber LEDs deliver 4-5 x more light output than standard LEDs.

Crazy bright, that's for sure. Thanks, all.