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    Air Foil

    Each winter, PennDOT is responsible for maintaining more than 96,000 snow-lane miles of roadway to keep roadways passable and safe. The Air Foil device is designed to keep trucks cleaner, save plow and salt truck operators time, and perhaps most importantly, increase safety, all while improving efficiency and visibility during winter storms. 

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    How Does It Work?

    During winter snow events, truck operators are usually forced to stop frequently to clean off the rear lights and spreader system on the back of their trucks. Performing these tasks during a snowstorm can be dangerous to both the operator cleaning off the truck and other motorists who may not be able to see the operator outside the truck during times of low visibility. The Air Foil is an arched piece of metal or plastic device mounted to the rear of dump trucks. It uses the air passing the top of the truck and forces it down the backside of the truck. The air pressure being forced down the back of the truck exponentially reduces buildup on the tailgate rear lights and spreader system of the truck.  

    back of dirty PennDOT dump truck PennDOT truck without Air Foil attachment.

    What Are The Benefits?

    An Air Foil is a comparatively inexpensive way to keep PennDOT operators and other motorists safer during already dangerous winter weather conditions. Additionally, Air Foils are generally easy to mount on the back of the dump trucks. Air Foils increase operator safety by no longer requiring the operator to exit the vehicle to clean debris from the taillights and the spreader of the truck. Since Air Foils are used only during the winter months, concerns regarding harm to insects and other wildlife are negligible. 

    Innovation In Motion

    PennDOT piloted Air Foils on its dump trucks in PennDOT District 10 during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 winter seasons. Feedback from operators has been positive, as the Air Foils have been performing as predicted by keeping trucks cleaner, saving time and increasing visibility. Operators did not have to pull over to clean their rear lights as often as they did without the Air Foils. Currently, PennDOT is in the process of completing the specification and standard drawings for Air Foils. Moving forward, PennDOT is exploring options of having the device produced at the Forest State Correctional Institute (SCI). In addition, a “best practice” document is being developed and will be distributed to all PennDOT districts and county maintenance organizations. 

    back of clean PennDOT dump truck with Air Foil attached to it. PennDOT truck with Air Foil attachment.