AASHTO Journal - State DOTs Salute Annual Equipment Roadeo Winners

The Arkansas Department of Transportation and Mississippi Department of Transportation recently saluted the winners of their annual State Equipment Operators Roadeo contests; held June 12 and June 5, respectively.

[Above photo by Arkansas DOT]

The Arkansas DOT said its yearly Roadeo allows its work crews to put their equipment skills to the test, measuring precision, safety awareness, and efficiency in seven key equipment categories: Lowboy Truck, Tandem Axle Dump Truck, Single Axle Dump Truck, Tractor/Mower, Backhoe, Motor Patrol, and Skid Steer.

The agency said the Roadeo contest – where competitors enter individually and also represent the Arkansas DOT district they work in – is designed to reinforce real-world safety practices in a “controlled, hands-on way.”

For a full list of Arkansas DOT Roadeo winners, click here.

The Mississippi DOT noted that its Roadeo competition serves the same purpose: providing employees with an opportunity to display their mastery of vehicle handling, trailer maneuvering, and heavy equipment precision.

The Mississippi DOT’s Roadeo event categories mirror those of Arkansas DOT’s, with the judging criteria providing feedback to help operators evaluate their strengths, improve techniques, and learn new skills while engaging in some friendly competition.

For a full list of Mississippi DOT Roadeo winners, click here.

Both agencies noted that top two winners in each individual category advanced to compete in the Southeastern Regional Equipment Operators Roadeo in Lexington, KY, later this fall – a regional competition that brings together top operators from 13 states for a multi-day showcase of equipment agility and knowledge.