The Indiana Department of Transportation is not just about road construction; it is also looking into future technologies, including truck automation and electric vehicles. The agency is conducting research on truck platooning along Interstate 70 in collaboration with Ohio, creating a truck automation corridor. This technology has the potential to improve driver productivity, safety, and job satisfaction. The agency also plans to invest in building an EV charging network along Indiana’s alternative fuel corridors and is exploring the development and testing of an electrified roadway.
Roland Fegan, INDOT’s deputy commissioner of construction, sees truck automation as the future of transportation, citing its safety benefits and potential to reduce driver fatigue. He predicts that the autonomous vehicle program will eventually involve controlling more than just the vehicle immediately following. The agency is partnering with ASPIRE Engineering Research Center, Purdue University, the Joint Transportation Research Program, and Cummins for the electrified roadway pilot project, with a test segment completed in West Lafayette. Testing with a specialized Cummins vehicle is set to begin next spring.
However, there are challenges to overcome, such as the weight of electric vehicle batteries being a significant factor for road damage. Fegan notes that battery technology would need to improve dramatically for electric trucks to use the electrified roadway successfully. The agency’s forward-thinking approach to technology and innovation reinforces its commitment to advancing transportation infrastructure in Indiana.
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