Western Builder

Dedicated to the people who make our built environment better and safer. We tell your stories and celebrate your successes.

Register with us and receive industry news and content only available to subscribers.

Subscribe
Contacts

Indianapolis, IN, USA (HQ)

903 E. Ohio St., Indianapolis, IN 46202

Call: (317) 423-2325

info@acppubs.com

North Dakota DOT Receives Innovation Grant for Autonomous Vehicle

BISMARCK, ND — The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) received a federal grant to use technology to improve work zone safety with an autonomous impact protection vehicle. The Federal Highway Administration recently awarded NDDOT a $241,687 grant through its Accelerated Innovation Deployment program.

This pilot project will include the purchase of autonomous vehicle technology that will be used to convert a truck into a self-driving vehicle, or autonomous impact protection vehicle.

“NDDOT is always concerned about safety,” said Brad Darr, NDDOT State Maintenance Engineer. “In 2019 there were 234 work zone related crashes on North Dakota highways. This will be one tool to enhance safety in work zones.”

The autonomous vehicle will improve safety in work zones by removing the driver from the impact protection vehicle during normal operation. Impact protection vehicles are typically human operated and are designed to protect road construction crews from distracted motorists in work zones.

The autonomous vehicle will be controlled by a human operated, lead vehicle and will automatically follow behind construction equipment without putting a driver in danger. However, a driver will still be required to move the vehicle to and from the worksite.

Komatsu Dealer Program
Your local Komatsu America Corp dealer
Road Machinery and Supplies Company

The autonomous vehicle pilot project is expected to be deployed in the Fargo area later this year.

SITECH
Your local Trimble Construction Division dealer
SITECH Northwest
SITECH
Your local Trimble Construction Division dealer
SITECH Northwest
LBX Link Belt Excavators
Your local Link Belt dealer
Hayden-Murphy Equipment Co