1373587 - Potential of Autonomous Maintenance Technology Deployments: The effect of network features, connectivity, and weather

Due to its efficiency in enhancing safety in work zones, autonomous maintenance technology (AMT), especially the Autonomous-Truck-Mounted-Attenuator (ATMA), has gained popularity. Data from field tests show the ATMA devices' potential functionality in stable and regular environments. It is crucial to investigate the change in functionality levels of AMT systems caused by varying external factors (different from regular or standard conditions). AMT services (including the ATMA) are expected to operate under a wide range of conditions (weather, visibility, congestion states) as well as for different purposes (snow plowing vs. patching) in different environments (that we cannot control). Additionally, the affordability of AMT technologies has not been investigated, considering the application type, technological advancement, road network layout, and broader context (urban vs. rural). Therefore, a comprehensive assessment that enables the state departments of transportation (DOTs) to assess the technological (connectivity, infrastructure), economical (cost-benefit ratio), and environmental (nighttime operations, rural vs. urban, adverse weather) feasibility of the AMT systems, in general, is essential for nationwide deployment planning and investments. This research will explore and synthesize the effects of network features (e.g., the presence of a bridge disrupting GPS signals, narrow lanes, and movements across signalized intersections), weather (e.g., fog, snow, and dust storm), and connectivity (latency and coverage).