Autonomous truck-mounted attenuators; pilot program authorized.

This legislation authorizes a pilot program in Virginia to test the use of autonomous truck-mounted attenuators. These specialized vehicles act as mobile safety barriers, often trailing maintenance crews on highways to absorb the impact of potential collisions and protect workers. By deploying self-driving versions, the state aims to remove human drivers from high-risk positions during roadwork, significantly reducing the likelihood of workplace fatalities. The pilot program will evaluate the reliability and effectiveness of this technology in real-world traffic conditions. If successful, this initiative could become a standard safety protocol for Virginia Department of Transportation projects, potentially leading to safer highway work zones across the region and reducing insurance and liability costs associated with maintenance operations.