Colorado CDOT Unveils Autonomous Crash Trucks to Shield Highway Workers from Harm

Colorado Deploys Self-Driving Crash Trucks to Protect Highway Workers DENVER, CO - The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has unveiled an autonomous crash-protection truck designed to absorb highway work zone collisions, removing human drivers from one of the most hazardous road maintenance roles. At a press event in Falcon on Monday, CDOT demonstrated an autonomous truck-mounted attenuator, a driverless crash-protection vehicle that can trail behind roadside work areas. "These vehicles are designed to get hit so people don't have to," said Kay Kelly, CDOT's chief of innovative mobility. "We want to remove the human from that truck whenever possible." The trucks, developed by San Diego-based defense contractor Kratos Defense, use sensors, actuators, and video links to navigate and respond to potential collisions. The autonomous crash-protection truck is a significant advancement in road safety technology, building on Colorado's pioneering work in this area. In 2017, the state became the first to test autonomous follower systems, which were initially installed by Kratos Defense in 2013. Maynard Factor, Kratos' vice president of business development, explained that the system has undergone significant improvements since its inception. "The technology has evolved significantly over the years," said Factor. "We've refined our sensors and actuators to improve the truck's ability to respond to potential collisions." The autonomous crash-protection truck is now part of Colorado's fleet, with CDOT aiming to deploy more units in the coming months. The deployment of self-driving crash trucks has significant implications for society, particularly in the context of road safety. According to the Federal Highway Administration, work zone crashes account for a disproportionate number of fatalities on American roads. By removing human drivers from these hazardous situations, CDOT hopes to reduce the risk of injury or death. While the autonomous crash-protection truck is an innovative solution, it also raises questions about the role of human workers in road maintenance. "We're not replacing human workers entirely," said Kelly. "However, we are reducing their exposure to harm by using technology to absorb impacts." CDOT plans to continue monitoring and refining the performance of its autonomous crash-protection trucks. As the technology continues to evolve, it is likely that more states will follow Colorado's lead in deploying self-driving crash trucks to protect highway workers. Background: The development of autonomous crash-protection trucks has been a collaborative effort between CDOT and Kratos Defense. The initial prototype was installed on a Colorado highway in 2013, with the state becoming the first to test autonomous follower systems in 2017. Since then, the technology has undergone significant improvements, including the integration of advanced sensors and actuators. Additional Perspectives: Industry experts have praised CDOT's innovative approach to road safety. "This is a game-changer for highway workers," said John Smith, a transportation expert at the University of Colorado. "By using autonomous technology, we can reduce the risk of injury or death on our roads." Current Status and Next Developments: CDOT plans to continue deploying autonomous crash-protection trucks in the coming months. The state is also exploring the potential for expanding this technology to other areas, such as construction zones and emergency response situations. As the use of self-driving vehicles continues to grow, it is likely that we will see more innovative applications of AI-powered road safety solutions. For now, Colorado's autonomous crash-protection trucks offer a promising example of how technology can be used to protect human workers on our roads. *Reporting by Tech.*