Highway Safety

Choosing a TMA Upfitter

TMA truck upfitters fall into two groups: the bulk upfitter and the specialized highway safety vehicle upfitter.

The Highway Safety Vehicle Upfitter uses industry challenges such as the hazardous work zone environments and lack of consistent protection vehicle design regulations as a basis to achieving the goal of building the safest protection vehicle with the best value.  Safety, durability, efficiency, and useful life are the primary considerations.

The Bulk Upfitter builds “up to” state regulations and installs components using “least and lowest” labor model selecting, installing, or eliminating components based on the total cost.  Price is the primary consideration with vehicle durability and safety of work crews are secondary features.

What differentiates J-Tech from the bulk upfitter?

1. MINIMUM WEIGHT REQUIREMENT (MWR)
   J-Tech exceeds the attenuator manufacturer’s MWR for host vehicle/TMA trucks unlike bulk upfitters who often choose the minimum host vehicle weight that attenuator manufacturer allows.  Texas and New Jersey now have higher host vehicle weight requirements.  J-Tech’s 20,000 LBS MWR allows TMA trucks to operate those states along with most others.  Please understand how MWR and roll ahead distance are critical considerations for your workers.  Please see below *Industry knowledge saves lives.
   
   
2. MINIMUM MINDSET
   Bulk upfitters often select the minimum specifications required to do the job.  This is dangerous for a number of reasons.  The biggest reason is that these trucks are subjected to extremes not minimums. 
   
   
3. INDUSTRY ENGAGED
   J-Tech is actively engaged in the Traffic Safety Industry, working for regulation changes that increase highway safety.  We are at the cutting edge of safety improvements, giving you increased safety for your workers.  We choose to include many safety features that aren’t mandated.
   
   
4. NEAR-MISS THINKING
   J-Tech promotes the use of accessories that enhance the safety of your crew and make remote monitoring of your equipment easier. Some modest investments in technology can greatly amplify productivity and safety. Our DVR recording systems allow for “near-miss” analysis, helping to further improve safety procedures.
   
   
5.  FIT & FINISH
   J-Tech’s TMAs are built to optimize workforce efficiency, comfort, and safety along with the vehicle’s longevity and serviceability.   Bulk upfitters' short-sighted cost savings compromise your team’s safety and reduce the equipment’s life. 
   

As a Highway Safety Vehicle Upfitter, J-Tech sets the bar for safety standards and quality equipment.

J-Tech is a highway safety company that understands the challenges of highway work zones and uses high quality manufacturing to build for safety, durability, and efficiency.  We have 30 years of experience building safety products ahead of the curve of regulations.

Here’s the proof: we have a fleet of 130 Rental TMA trucks.  We build your trucks just like we build our rentals: Built to last for decades in a tough highway environment. Built for serviceability. Built to withstand impacts and built to make you and your crew’s job safer. 

Our trucks are built with durability that lead to a long and problem-free service life.

WHY J-Tech?

1. Powder-Coat the Entire Body not just the main body, but the bulkhead, arrow board lift, and stake sides. We even go a step further and undercoat the chassis frame from the cab back including mounts and tie downs for total protection from harsh roadway conditions.  Just body paint and undercoating doesn’t last: leading to rust, corrosion, frozen hinges.
   
   
2. Ballast with Integral (non-projectile) Precast Concrete Wafers give our trucks weight to reduce roll-ahead* distance and is encased within our powder coated bodies (a corrosion free space specially designed for that purpose).
   
   
3. Non-Projectile – When (not if) the truck is hit; you need it to stay together and not have projectile parts. Think about 80,000 LBS mass traveling at 65 MPH+.
   
   
4. Minor but Major – J-Tech’s backup camera has “automatic switching" activated when the truck is in reverse. The camera under the attenuator automatically switches to the camera under the arrow board as the attenuator is being deployed or stowed.  The driver doesn’t have gaps in critical information.
   
   
5. Details & Serviceability – We build the truck to withstand years of heavy use; but easy to service when the time comes.  These details are important.
   - Chassis tail lights are always included. When the attenuator is hit (not if) and removed, you can still travel safely with tail lights. (Competitors eliminate chassis tail lights).
   - Serviceable corrosion resistant wiring that’s put together correctly.
   - Body is a tubular steel design that encases and protects wiring.
   - Standardized wires to allow easy troubleshooting; not spliced with excess coiled and stuffed.
   - Clean work inside junction boxes, dielectric grease, done properly.
   - Dedicated control line installed for the attenuator controller, not dangling plug.
   - J-Tech is Certified by the attenuator manufacturer, TrafFix Devices, Inc. for attenuator Installation, repair, and annual certification facility.  We play by the rules and do it right.

INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE SAVES LIVES

Roll-ahead distance (RAD),  the distance that the TMA truck will skid/roll after being hit.  A short RAD is key to keeping your workers safe. An unballasted, improperly ballasted or light-weight truck endangers the workers for 4 reasons:  

1. When struck, the vehicle skids or rolls ahead, endangering workers or equipment by entering the buffer zone. 
2. A lightweight truck needs a buffer that is way too long which positions it too far distant from the workers.  Unknowingly, the road user assumes the lane is clear beyond the protection vehicle and mistakenly reenters that lane putting the workers in great danger. 
3. Critical error: a large mass vehicle hits TMA with under-calculated RAD distance.  
4. Projectile danger from improperly installed ballast.

Calculate RAD using typical roadway weight & average speed is critical to the safety of your workers. 

Please note that attenuator crash testing (MASH 2016) is performed with a RAM 1500 not an 80,000 LBS semi with trailer which amplifies the points above. If your truck is light, your safety is light.

J-Tech is standing by to make your operations safer!