(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Colorado has become the first state in the nation to introduce a self-driving work truck, aimed at enhancing safety for road crews.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has launched this initiative with the help of a $2 million grant to fund truck-mounted attenuators (TMAs), which are designed to absorb the impact of collisions.

“Last year alone in the state of Colorado, there were 23 crashes, 31 fatalities in work zones,” said Shaz Umer, USDOT Director of Strategic Initiatives.

“These numbers are more than statistics. They represent real people and families,” added Shane Ferguson, CDOT Region 2 Director.

Kate Kelly, CDOT Director of Innovative Mobility, highlighted the dangers faced by roadside maintenance workers, noting the tragic loss of two coworkers last year due to a reckless driver. Kelly emphasized that while the autonomous trucks cannot be used in every situation, they represent a significant advancement in safety for maintenance workers.

Corey Applegate, a County Commissioner, explained that the new technology allows protective vehicles to be deployed without putting drivers at risk.

Ferguson also stressed that technology alone is not enough to save lives, urging drivers to slow down and stay alert in work zones.

Colorado is now eligible for phase two of the grant, which could provide up to $15 million in additional funding to expand the fleet of these innovative trucks.

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