Minnesota Snowplow and Safety Simulator Training for Local Agencies

The inside of a snowplow simulator includes a view out of a snowy windshield with wipers moving, a side mirror, and access to the steering wheel and plow controls.
Watch a short video about the simulator training.

Dates and Locations

Dates are being scheduled for fall 2024 at the locations listed below. 

Interested in attending? Complete this form, and we'll contact you with registration information once dates have been selected. 

  • Beltrami County Highway Department, 2491 Adams Ave. NW, Bemidji, MN 56601 (30 seats available)
  • Virginia Public Works, 7823 Highway 135, Virginia, MN 55792 (40 seats available)
  • Ottertail County Highway Department, 601 West Holdt St., Battle Lake, MN 56515 (30 seats available)
  • Stearns County Highway Department, 455 28th Ave. S, Waite Park, MN 56387 (40 seats available)
  • Carver County Public Works, 11360 Highway 212, Cologne, MN 55322 (60 seats available)
  • Blue Earth County Public Works, 35 Map Dr., Mankato, MN 56001 (40 seats available)

Each date will have four two-hour time blocks available (8–10 a.m., 10 a.m.–noon, 12:30–2:30 p.m., and 2:30–4:30 p.m.). 

We will also be conducting optional focus group training evaluation sessions at each location. These groups will last 20–30 minutes. More details will be provided at the training. 

About the Training

Jet pilots use simulator training to gain exposure to the unexpected. The result is a well-trained pilot who can anticipate hazardous situations and react in the safest possible manner to extreme conditions. This two-hour training, tailored for local agencies, uses state-of-the-art technology to prepare snowplow drivers for the challenges of adverse winter driving and road conditions. 

The simulator provides attendees with a basic plow cab control system with everything from a 15-speed max manual transmission to an automatic transmission. The plow and wing are operated with a touch screen. Like a real plow, the simulator has a steering wheel, fans, horn, turn indicators, mirror and seat adjustments, an interactive dashboard, and other controls. The steering wheel is responsive, and the sounds are realistic. The view screen gives a 180-degree view with realistic graphics. 

Trainers use the snowplow simulator to create an unlimited combination of hazardous situations involving weather, traffic, and road conditions that a driver may rarely encounter in the real world. This prepares the snowplow driver to handle potentially dangerous situations without being involved in an actual accident.

Registration

  • Complete this form to reserve your spot! You will be contacted with complete registration information once training dates have been selected. 
  • Cost: $125 (Free for Tribal Nation members and employees; separate registration is required.)
  • Space is limited to three staff per agency. 
  • Registration contact: Natalie Niskanen at niskanen@umn.edu 

Please let us know how we can ensure that this workshop is inclusive to you. What accommodations or access needs can we help facilitate? Contact Natalie Niskanen when you register to help us provide you with the best access.

Topics Covered

Expand all

Topics Covered

S.M.A.R.T. decision plowing

Attendees will get an overview of the “S.M.A.R.T.” decision driving method, which stands for Scan, Measure risk, Anticipate action, Reach a decision, and Trust your decision. The lesson stresses hazard identification, active assessment, and measuring risk factors to improve driver perception and reaction time. The S.M.A.R.T. method, combined with fundamental speed and space management skills, helps drivers stay safe on the road while performing the job of proper plowing.

Adverse conditions: winter driving

This lesson describes the winter weather conditions that can be hazardous to drivers due to slick roads and reduced visibility. It also teaches participants how to drive safely in those conditions—including how to increase traction and control on wet and icy roads—before having no choice on the real road. 

The training offers multiple types of environments, including dense city, freeway, suburban, and rural (primary/county) roads with traffic congestion, pedestrians, and bridges. Real-time visuals are adjustable for time of day, weather conditions, nighttime environments with illumination, headlights, taillights, traffic control signals, fog, rain, and snow.

Snowplow configurations will include: 

  • Blade/wing adjustments
  • Spreader control, with blast button
  • Windblown snow and whiteouts
  • Obscured windshield
  • Clearing, wing plow, tandem, and skip lines
  • Object and hazard avoidance

Training Benefits

This training provides a safe environment for students to experience hazardous weather conditions, varied road conditions, heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and difficult maneuvering. The simulator also provides training in an off-the-road setting, which reduces insurance, training, and fuel costs; fleet maintenance; liability exposure; and vehicle damage. Other benefits include: 

  • Ability to evaluate performance after each simulation 
  • Decision-making skills are challenged in a safe environment 
  • Ability to practice maneuvers repeatedly until mastered 
  • Training is standardized, so each attendee can learn the same techniques in a controlled environment 

Studies by the Ohio and Iowa Departments of Transportation, Iowa State University, and the San Antonio, Texas, and West Covina, California, police departments have demonstrated the success of simulator training. A study by the University of Utah found that simulator training significantly reduced the severity and number of accidents.

Who Should Attend

All snowplow drivers, regardless of years of experience, can benefit from training in the simulator. This includes anyone who has snowplowing as part of their position description or who plows as a seasonal or temporary driver.

Credit

Questions?

Please contact Minnesota LTAP at mnltap@umn.edu. 

Sponsors

This training is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and hosted by the Minnesota Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) at the Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota. The training was developed and delivered by L3Harris.