Royal Truck and Equipment recently unveiled technology designed to improve safety and save lives in highway construction zones across the country. In a product demonstration held at the Memorial Pool parking lot on Illick’s Mill Road, representatives from Royal Truck and Equipment and the ATMA (autonomous truck mounted attenuator) design firm Kratos Defense and Security Solutions attended to promote the groundbreaking technology and answer questions.

They were joined by Congressman Charlie Dent, City Parks Director Ralph Carp, and several city public works supervisors.

In remarks prior to the actual demonstration, Royal Truck and Equipment President Rob Roy introduced the technology which has been developed based on unmanned uses in the military. “Our company is committed to....help save lives in work zones,” said Roy, “and we believe this technology will do just that.”

The concept involves a leader and follower vehicle. The lead vehicle is manned and transmits GPS directional and rate of speed data to the follower vehicle, which is driverless. The driverless vehicle is also equipped with digital safety signage and a crash absorption device on its rear. Eliminating the driver protects highway workers and the potential for injury or death. The crash absorption device, called an attenuator, is designed and tested to protect drivers who may impact the follower highway work vehicle due to distraction or other factors.

The follower truck trailed behind the leader vehicle during several demonstration laps in the parking lot, speeding up and slowing down via the ATMA transceiver and receiver. The system is portable and can be moved from one vehicle to another, which makes it very cost effective.

Royal and the Kratos Company’s Microsystems Inc. will be partnering with the Florida Department of Transportation on a pilot program later this year. Data gathered will be used to evaluate the ability of the ATMA system to improve highway work zone safety and reduce costs associated with work zone accidents.

After witnessing the ATMA demonstration, Dent voiced that very observation, saying “This technology will help us enhance highway safety, especially in highway work zones.”

While still groundbreaking, Roy hopes to see the ATMA technology in mainstream use within five years.