Lindsay's Road Runner Aims to Set New Standard for Work Zone Safety

OMAHA, Neb. – February 23, 2026 – Lindsay Corporation, a global leader in infrastructure and irrigation technology, has officially introduced the Road Runner™ Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA), a next-generation safety device engineered to protect the lives of roadside crews and motorists. The new TMA, set to debut at the ATSSA 2026 convention in Houston, promises to address long-standing industry challenges with a design focused on extreme durability, rapid deployment, and operational efficiency.

For decades, TMAs have served as a critical, often last, line of defense for workers in vulnerable highway construction zones. These devices are designed to absorb the kinetic energy of an errant vehicle, mitigating the severity of a crash. However, industry professionals have long pointed to the limitations of legacy systems, which can be prone to damage, slow to operate, and costly to maintain. Lindsay's new entry into this market was reportedly inspired by this direct customer feedback, aiming to transform the TMA from a necessary liability into a reliable, high-performance asset.

Redefining Durability and Safety Standards

At the core of the Road Runner's design is a direct response to the frequent and costly damage TMAs sustain during routine operations. Unlike conventional models that can require extensive repairs after minor side impacts with guardrails or concrete barriers, the Road Runner is constructed from heavy-gauge aluminum. This robust build is engineered to withstand such incidental contact, drastically reducing the downtime and maintenance costs that plague fleet managers.

This focus on durability is matched by a stringent adherence to modern safety protocols. The Road Runner is designed to meet the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) Test Level 3 (TL-3) standards. This is not merely a technical specification; it represents a life-saving capability certified through rigorous crash testing. To achieve MASH TL-3 compliance, a device must successfully manage impacts from both a 2,420-pound passenger car and a 5,000-pound pickup truck traveling at 62 mph. These tests, which reflect the reality of today's heavier vehicle fleet, ensure the attenuator can safely contain and redirect impacting vehicles, preventing them from underriding the truck and protecting the occupants of both vehicles.

According to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) data, the use of MASH-compliant TMAs can prevent a significant percentage of work zone fatalities. Lindsay has further enhanced the Road Runner's safety profile with practical features, including protected taillights that remain visible and functional, and a design that ensures no interference with the critical visibility of truck-mounted arrow boards.

A New Calculus for Operational Efficiency

Beyond its safety and durability, the Road Runner is positioned as a powerful tool for improving operational logistics and delivering a tangible return on investment. One of its most touted features is a deployment and stowage time of less than 30 seconds. In an environment where every minute of lane closure counts and crew exposure to live traffic is a constant risk, this speed translates directly into safer, more efficient work zone setups and teardowns.

Further enhancing its operational value, the Road Runner stows in a vertical position. This simple yet innovative change frees up valuable truck bed space, allowing crews to carry more equipment, materials, or tools on a single vehicle. This can reduce the need for additional support vehicles on a job site, streamlining logistics and lowering fuel consumption. The mechanical design also contributes to this efficiency, utilizing a single hinge point for its hydraulic system. This simplification minimizes potential points of failure, promising greater reliability and easier maintenance over the life of the unit.

The economic benefits extend to fuel efficiency as well. The Road Runner features an open-grid cartridge structure, which is designed to reduce wind resistance and drag as the host vehicle travels at highway speeds. Over thousands of miles, this can result in measurable fuel savings. Perhaps most significantly for fleet managers and public works departments, the TMA comes with universal mounting capabilities. This allows for quick retrofitting onto existing TMA trucks, providing a cost-effective upgrade path without the major capital expenditure of purchasing entirely new vehicles.

Reshaping a Competitive Market

The launch of the Road Runner positions Lindsay to disrupt a competitive market populated by established manufacturers like TrafFix Devices and Impact Absorption Inc. While these companies offer proven, MASH-certified products, Lindsay is betting that its holistic approach—combining next-generation durability, speed, and user-centric design—will set a new industry benchmark. This product launch is a clear extension of the company's broader strategy in the infrastructure sector.

Lindsay is already a major player in road safety with its flagship Road Zipper™ System, a movable barrier technology used globally to manage congestion and accelerate construction projects safely. The Road Runner™ complements this high-level solution by providing an advanced tool for the daily, granular work of mobile and stationary work zones. It strengthens Lindsay’s portfolio, offering a comprehensive suite of products that address nearly every aspect of roadway safety.

"Lindsay's Road Runner is a leap forward for our industry," said Cole Hansen, Vice President & General Manager of Infrastructure at Lindsay. "We listened to our customers and engineered a solution that delivers unmatched durability, efficiency, and safety—setting a new benchmark for today's roadways."

As the industry prepares to gather at ATSSA 2026, the official debut will provide the first hands-on opportunity for contractors, fleet managers, and transportation officials to evaluate these claims. With infrastructure investment on the rise, the demand for equipment that not only protects workers but also enhances project profitability has never been greater. The Road Runner enters the market at a critical time, and its performance will be closely watched by an industry eager for innovation.