Why the Future of Roadworker Safety Lies in Autonomous Impact Protection Vehicles and thinking OUTSIDE of the box

A futuristic vision of what an IPV could potentially look like in 20 years with military grade impact resistance

As the UK faces mounting pressure to improve roadworker safety and modernise its infrastructure practices, one innovation stands out as both practical and transformative: autonomous impact protection vehicles (AIPVs).

Already in use or under trial in countries like the United States, Germany, and Australia, AIPVs represent a major leap forward in protecting lives on the road. And now, the time has come for the UK to fully embrace this technology—not as a futuristic concept, but as a proven solution ready to make a difference today.

Acklea - one of the leading manufacturers of traffic management vehicles in the UK recently announced that they intended to explore this as a future concept, as exclusively revealed by Insight, but is this a drawing board concept or something which we will see on the UK SRN in the near future?

A Simple Idea with Life-Saving Impact

The concept behind an AIPV is straightforward: remove the human driver from a vehicle that’s designed to take the brunt of a crash. Traditional impact protection vehicles—also known as crash cushion trucks or TMA (truck-mounted attenuator) vehicles—are parked behind mobile or static roadworks to absorb collisions from oncoming vehicles. They protect the workforce ahead—but place the driver directly in harm’s way.

With an AIPV, that risk is eliminated. By using autonomous driving technology to follow a lead vehicle or maintain a safe buffer in a work convoy, the crash cushion truck can operate without a person inside. The result is the same level of protection for workers—without endangering a second life.

Addressing a Real, Ongoing Danger

Vehicle incursions into roadworks are a persistent and deadly problem in the UK. National Highways data shows dozens of serious incidents every year where vehicles crash into safety vehicles or narrowly miss workers on site. IPV drivers are among the most at-risk individuals in traffic management operations.

The use of AIPVs could completely eliminate this high-risk role, aligning directly with the UK infrastructure sector’s "zero harm" vision and National Highways’ safety ambitions.

Solving Labour and Operational Pressures

Beyond safety, AIPVs offer a solution to growing operational pressures. The traffic management industry faces ongoing challenges with driver shortages, increasing workloads, and the rising cost of labour. AIPVs allow TM contractors to deploy resources more efficiently, freeing skilled staff for higher-value tasks while maintaining critical protection at worksites.

And unlike humans, AIPVs don’t suffer from fatigue, distraction, or slow reaction times. They provide consistent, precise performance throughout every shift.

Fit for the Digital and Decarbonised Road Network

AIPVs are not just about automation—they’re part of a wider shift toward a smarter, more sustainable road network. These vehicles can be integrated with digital traffic management systems, GPS tracking, and telematics, offering real-time data on movement, incident logs, and system diagnostics.

They can also be deployed on electric or hybrid platforms, supporting the UK’s net zero carbon targets by reducing emissions from fleet operations.

From Pilot to Policy: Time to Scale Up

While the technology is proven internationally, the UK now needs to move from curiosity to commitment. Trial deployments by progressive contractors and collaboration with National Highways or Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) programmes could pave the way for broader adoption.

Policymakers have a critical role to play—by supporting pilot schemes, creating standards, and offering incentives to early adopters. Procurement frameworks should reflect not just cost, but innovation, safety, and social value—areas where AIPVs deliver strong returns.

Public Perception and Industry Confidence

Concerns around job displacement and autonomy are understandable but misplaced. AIPVs don’t replace skilled jobs—they remove risk from the most dangerous role on site, allowing teams to focus on more technical or supervisory tasks. Public safety is improved, not compromised.

The technology itself is also highly controlled, operating at low speeds in well-defined environments with constant human oversight from a lead vehicle or command centre.

Conclusion: An Idea Whose Time Has Come

Autonomous impact protection vehicles are not a luxury—they are a logical, life-saving advancement for an industry that has long accepted too much risk as part of the job.

As we look to modernise the UK's road network, reduce harm to workers, and deliver infrastructure more efficiently and sustainably, AIPVs offer a powerful opportunity. With the right support, the UK can lead the way in bringing this essential technology into everyday operations—saving lives, reducing costs, and future-proofing our roads.

The future is autonomous, and in this case, the future is safer too.