About the Competition

The SWANA Northwest Regional Road-E-O is a great opportunity for the “front line” employees in the solid waste management field—truck drivers, heavy equipment operators and mechanics—to obtain education through training and networking. The Road-E-O also gives these front-line employees a chance to display their on-the-job skills in a competitive arena. Many of the SWANA Chapters hold an annual local Chapter Road-E-O event. Competitors from both the public and private sectors are welcome to participate. There are three separate competition divisions—landfill equipment, trucks, and
equipment/truck mechanics.

The event typically features four truck events: roll-off, front loader, automated side loader, and transfer trucks. It will also include the mechanics category and four landfill equipment events: landfill compactor, articulated dump truck, articulated front end loader, hydraulic excavator and dozer. Competitors may compete in multiple divisions, but may only compete in a single event in each division. All competitors complete a written test, CDL pre-trip inspection, and either a driving obstacle course or troubleshooting exercise.

Competition winners are determined by the highest combined score for the day’s events. Awards will be given to the first, second and third-place finishers for each truck category, for the mechanics event, and for each of the landfill equipment categories. In addition, the overall winner of the competition will be crowned the Top Gun and presented with a belt buckle and the Barry McCoy Memorial Trophy. The first and second-place winners of each classification will be eligible to advance to the annual SWANA International Road-E-O event which pits the winning drivers from the various Chapter events against each other.

As with all SWANA events, there is a high level of professionalism. The Road-E-O is one of the only events strictly for the front line employees. The friendly rivalry, networking and educational components make the Road-E-O a winning combination!

Save the Date: 2022

This year’s Road-E-O takes place on September 9th & 10th, so mark your calendar and stay tuned for more news!

2019 Photo Gallery