Using Scorpion TMAs in Texas Urban and Rural Work Zones

City lane closures and rural highway jobs put different demands on an attenuator. The Scorpion line covers both ends, and knowing which fits the work matters.

Traffic control work in Texas ranges from tight urban lane closures to open rural highway jobs. The speed and the surroundings change, and so does what you need from an attenuator. The Scorpion line spans that range.

Matching the device to the setting

• Urban work often runs at lower speeds where a TL-2 rating (45 mph and below) may fit the job.
• Rural highway work at 50 mph and above calls for a TL-3 device such as the Scorpion II.
• The original Scorpion is a non-blade attenuator; the Scorpion II carries the TL-3 rating for high-speed corridors.

Why the fit matters

Specifying an attenuator below the work-zone speed leaves a gap in protection. Specifying above it is safe but may cost more than the job requires. Reading the job speed and the agency specification first, then choosing the Scorpion configuration that matches, keeps crews protected without overbuying.

Can one truck cover both urban and rural jobs?

A TL-3 unit covers high-speed work and also works at lower speeds, so a fleet running both often standardizes on TL-3 for flexibility.

Is the Scorpion II worth it for mostly urban work?

If any of your jobs hit 50 mph or above, a TL-3 device such as the Scorpion II keeps one truck qualified for all of them.