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Panel backs 5‑year pilot for autonomous truck‑mounted attenuators to protect work zones
Summary
Senate committee approved a bill allowing VDOT to run a five‑year pilot of autonomous truck‑mounted attenuators (TMAs) to remove operators from the most hazardous position in mobile work zones; VDOT and industry groups said the technology reduces operator injury risk.
Senator Srinivasan presented SB 320 to authorize VDOT to conduct a five‑year pilot permitting the use of autonomous truck‑mounted attenuators (TMAs) in mobile work zones. He described TMAs as specialized screening vehicles that absorb collision energy and said Virginia averages about 77 TMA strikes per year; the bill would allow the attenuator vehicle to operate autonomously in a leader‑follower configuration under human supervision.
Joshua Heslinger of VDOT explained the system would remove the driver from the attenuator vehicle while keeping it under human control and observation; he compared the arrangement to technologies already used in other states and noted Virginia Tech has developed related systems. Tom Witt of the Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance said the change "certainly is going to save lives" by getting operators out of harm's way.
Outcome: The committee voted to report SB 320 (Eyes 15, No 0), advancing the pilot authorization with an expiration date in statute tied to the pilot's term.
