What is a "shadow vehicle"?

A shadow vehicle refers specifically to a truck that is equipped with a crash attenuator, which is designed to protect workers in a work zone setup. The crash attenuator on the shadow vehicle serves to absorb the impact energy and reduce the risk of serious injury to the work crew in the event of a collision. This is particularly important in construction and maintenance zones where vehicles might need to navigate closely around workers and equipment.

While it might be easy to mix up the role of a shadow vehicle with other types of vehicles used in work zones, its primary function revolves around safety and protection, ensuring that personnel are shielded from errant vehicles that could pose a danger.