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 at the Memorial Pool parking lot on Illick’s Mill Road, representatives from Royal Truck and Equipment and the autonomous truck mounted attenuator design firm, Kratos Defense and Security Solutions attended to promote the groundbreaking technology, and to answer questions.

They were joined by Congressman Charlie Dent, R-15th, Bethlehem Parks Director Ralph Carp, and several public works supervisors.

In remarks prior to the actual demonstration, Rob Roy, Royal Truck and Equipment president, introduced the technology developed based on unmanned uses in the military.

“Our company is committed to help save lives in work zones, and we believe this technology will do just that,” Roy said.

The concept involves a lead and follower vehicle. The lead vehicle is manned and transmits GPS directional and rate of speed data to the driverless follow vehicle.

The driverless vehicle is also equipped with digital safety signage and a crash absorption device on its rear.

Eliminating the driver protects highway workers.

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 lead 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.

After witnessing the ATMA demonstration, Dent commented on the idea.

“This technology will help us enhance highway safety, especially in highway work zones,” Dent said.

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