The Ohio Department of Transportation is testing autonomous crash truck technology after years of high rates of crashes involving ODOT trucks.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -The Ohio Department of Transportation is testing autonomous crash truck technology after years of high rates of crashes involving ODOT trucks. 36 crashes this year are on track to far outpace last year’s total numbers, further prompting ODOT to explore safety measures for highway workers.
“People continue to run into our work zones, our people, our equipment, our vehicles, and we’re just looking for another way to keep our folks safe,” said Matt Bruning, ODOT press secretary.ODOT’s emerging technologies division is testing autonomous crash truck attenuators at the private Transportation Research Center near Columbus. The facility provides a testing ground with private roads and no public driving on them. The department already uses attenuator trucks, also known as crash trucks, which sit at the back of mobile work zones to protect workers. The attenuator on the back collapses on impact, absorbing energy from crashes. “The problem is someone has to drive that truck,” Bruning said. “We’re looking for ways to figure out how we can have the safety of the attenuator and the dump truck without having to put someone in the dump truck.”Christian Nixon, an ODOT highway technician who has experienced many close calls, said the technology could reduce risks for road workers. “Yeah, it’s very exciting. I think it would definitely eliminate a lot of risks that we have to encounter on the roads,” Nixon said. “So having something that would automatically do that for us would be a big help.” The autonomous system would use a technique called platooning, involving a truck with a driver in front and a driverless truck following behind. “There would be a vehicle in front of the dump truck with the attenuator, and the dump truck with the attenuator would not need a driver,” Bruning said. “It would simply follow the other vehicles, sort of a follow the leader type mentality here.”“We ask that you watch out for us. We’re trying to make sure the roads are presentable and are all good,” Nixon said. “So it’s drivable for the motor public and we want to get home just like you do.” ODOT has not set a date for when the autonomous trucks will be deployed on roads. The technology remains in the testing and research phase.Lakewood bar temporarily closing after neon sign catches fire, causing damageOhio attorney general puts spotlight on senior abuse as Cuyahoga County has uptick in calls
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