PennDOT currently utilizes Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMAs) to help ensure roadside worker safety during construction and maintenance activities. These specialized vehicles, equipped with impact-absorbing devices, are designed to reduce the severity of collisions involving errant vehicles that may enter work zones. TMAs are strategically positioned behind work crews, acting as a protective barrier to shield workers from potential accidents and minimize the risk of injuries. PennDOT in an effort to enhance highway worker safety is seeking an automated upgrade to an existing TMA to make it an autonomous follower vehicle. PennDOT anticipates the first leader installation will be on a painting truck, but is subject to Department needs. Potential items that could impact the way PennDOT provides transportation services are: 1. The Automated Truck Mounted Attenuator (ATMA) will be used in the Automated Driving Systems (ADS) Demonstration if the system procurement is completed before the end of the ADS Demonstration project. The project is investigating how automated vehicles can be safely integrated into work zones. More information on this project can be found on the PennDOT website: https://www.penndot.pa.gov/ads. 2. ATMA efforts through American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and/or the member states may result in the changes in ATMA software/hardware updates that PennDOT may want to utilize for Pennsylvania. ATMA efforts through American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and/or the member states may result in the changes in ATMA software/hardware updates that PennDOT may want to utilize for Pennsylvania.
