Truck Escape Ramps

Font Size: + -

Print

What is a Truck Escape Ramp?

Truck Ramp Icon A truck escape ramp is an emergency area located adjacent to a downgrade roadway to provide a location for out-of-control vehicles to slow and stop away from other vehicles on the road. They are generally located near the middle or the end of long, steep downgrades.

The two most common types of truck escape ramps are:

Gravity ramps are built with an upgrade to use the forces of gravity to slow a runaway vehicle.
Aggregate arrestor bed ramps use special sized rock in a gravel bed to slow a runaway vehicle. These ramps may have either an upward or downward grade.

Avoid Needing a Truck Escape Ramp

Have your vehicle serviced and maintained regularly.
Use provided brake check areas located near mountain summits and tops of steep grades to verify that your equipment and vehicle is in proper working condition.
Be familiar with the road and grades and load your vehicle accordingly.
Operate your vehicle on downgrades using recommended gears and speeds to help avoid excessive brake temperatures.

Who Should Use a Truck Escape Ramp?

Truck escape ramps are not just for trucks. Any vehicle experiencing braking problems or the inability to slow downhill speed can use a truck ramp. If you feel your vehicle is losing its braking ability, for your safety and those vehicles around you, consider using a truck escape ramp before total brake loss occurs.

Do's of Using a Truck Escape Ramp

DO use a truck escape ramp if you are having difficulty slowing your vehicle or experience brake loss.

DO enter the gravel bed in line with the ramp and as close to center as possible.

DO contact Nevada DOT after you have used a Nevada truck escape ramp:

Northern Nevada (775) 834-8488
Southern Nevada (702) 667-4501

DO contact a tow truck company after you have used a truck escape ramp to remove your vehicle from the gravel bed, and have the faulty vehicle’s brakes repaired before driving again.

Dont's of Using a Truck Escape Ramp

DO NOT avoid using a truck escape ramp because you fear possible damage to your vehicle. Damage to vehicles from gravel beds is negligible compared to the potential damage caused by not using a truck escape ramp.

DO NOT try and drive out of the gravel bed yourself. The gravel beds are designed to stop runaway vehicles. Trying to drive out may only cause further damage to your vehicle.

DO NOT wait in your vehicle while it is in the aggregate bed.

DO NOT use the truck escape ramp paved entry as a rest stop or parking area. Runaway vehicles are traveling at very high speeds and have limited ability to avoid parked vehicles in their path.

DO NOT use the gravel bed as a recreational area for your off-road vehicle.

Four Nevada Truck Escape Ramps