As TxDOT prepares for the winter weather season, several crew members from across the Brownwood District had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of virtual snow plows on Monday at the district headquarters complex in Brownwood.

The simulators, designed by L-3 Communications and housed in a large trailer, allow new TxDOT personnel to develop the skills necessary to clear ice and snow from state highways utilizing a virtual mockup of a dump truck equipped with a snow plow. The simulators also provide an excellent opportunity for experienced operators to brush up on their skills before winter weather strikes.

“Through the use of modern technology, we are able to closely recreate the real-world conditions snow plow operators face during snow and ice events,” said Andrew Carlson, Public Information Officer for TxDOT’s Brownwood District. “The simulators resemble fancy video games, but the weather and driving conditions recreated by the simulators are very real. This simulator augments the training all operators receive using actual trucks and plows.”

The traveling simulator is visiting other TxDOT districts as well, providing snow plow training to operators across the state.

TxDOT’s Brownwood District includes Brown, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Lampasas, McCulloch, Mills, San Saba and Stephens Counties.