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Marysville Today
By the People, for the People
ODOT, DriveOhio Testing Autonomous Crash Trucks to Protect Road Crews
New autonomous technology aims to improve safety for Ohio Department of Transportation workers.
Published on Feb. 12, 2026
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The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is testing autonomous crash trucks that would protect road crews by removing the need for a human driver in the vehicle. These crash trucks are designed to be hit instead of the road crews, and the autonomous technology would allow them to "platoon" with a truck driven by a person in front of it. ODOT is testing the autonomous trucks at the Transportation Research Center between Marysville and Bellefontaine, Ohio.
Why it matters
ODOT road crews have been hit by vehicles 125 times in 2025 and 36 times already in 2026, with the majority of the 2026 crashes involving snow plows. This autonomous technology aims to improve safety for ODOT workers and reduce the risk of injury when crews are working on the roads.
The details
Crash trucks are positioned at the back of work zones to be hit instead of the road crews. They often have impact attenuators on the back that absorb energy from crashes and lessen the risk of injury. Currently, a driver has to sit in the crash truck, but DriveOhio, ODOT's smart mobility technology initiative, is testing autonomous trucks that would remove the person from the cabin. The autonomous trucks would "platoon" with a truck driven by a person in front of it when ODOT crews are moving, like when they're patching potholes.
- In 2025, ODOT road crews, including people, equipment and vehicles, were hit 125 times.
- In 2026, ODOT road crews have been hit 36 times already, with the majority of the crashes involving snow plows.
The players
Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)
The state transportation agency responsible for maintaining and improving Ohio's roads and highways.
DriveOhio
ODOT's smart mobility technology initiative that is testing the autonomous crash trucks.
Matt Bruning
ODOT spokesperson who provided information about the autonomous crash truck testing.
Transportation Research Center
The facility between Marysville and Bellefontaine, Ohio where ODOT and DriveOhio are testing the autonomous crash trucks.
What they’re saying
“I mean it's a really cool technology that we certainly think will make a difference in safety for our folks. So, [we're] pretty excited about it.”
— Matt Bruning, ODOT Spokesperson (The Dispatch)
What’s next
ODOT and DriveOhio are currently testing the autonomous crash trucks at the Transportation Research Center and have not yet announced any plans to deploy the technology on Ohio's roads.
The takeaway
This autonomous crash truck technology represents an innovative approach to improving safety for ODOT road crews, who have faced an increasing number of incidents where they have been struck by vehicles while working. If successful, the autonomous trucks could help reduce the risk of injury to ODOT workers and make road maintenance operations safer overall.
