Autonomous Safety Technology for Road Crews

Autonomous safety technology for road crews

South Carolina residents may have heard about the development of autonomous vehicle technology that aids in braking and avoiding rear-end collisions. Now, technology that is being developed may help to keep workers safer while they are performing jobs along roads and highways. The autonomous truck-mounted attenuator created by Royal Truck & Equipment is said to be the first of its kind.

One of the greatest risks that road crews face is the possibility of being struck by a passing vehicle. To prevent these kinds of workplace accidents from taking place, road crews set up arrow boards and warning signs to let drivers know that they are approaching a work site. Truck-mounted attenuators are also used to cushion the impact of an out-of-control car and direct it away from the road crew.

Until now, truck-mounted attenuators were attached to the back of trucks to provide a safety barrier between passing cars and road crews. The trucks would be parked behind the work site and manned by a truck driver. With the new autonomous truck-mounted attenuator, a truck driver is no longer needed. The CEO of Royal Truck & Equipment said that his company wanted to provide an extra layer of safety by removing the truck driver from the unsafe situation at a roadwork site.

People who have been injured while doing work along roads and highways are usually covered by workers’ compensation insurance. An attorney may be able to help a road worker to file a workers’ compensation claim after an accident. If workplace injuries were caused by a negligent third party such as the driver of a passing vehicle, an attorney my help a worker to file a separate personal injury lawsuit.