“Our paint striping always take place at slow speeds,” said CDOT spokesman Timothy Hoover.

That doesn’t mean it’s not a dangerous job. Drivers could slam into the crew while they are working. That’s why they have a crash-absorbing truck with video cameras, signage and a safety bar following the them as they work. They call it an automated truck mounted attenuator truck.

“But basically, what it is, is a self-driving truck,” said Hoover…

That way in case a driver hits something it will hopefully be an empty truck. Instead of the truck full of workers or workers on the road behind it…

This is one of two in their fleet and so far, they have been mainly used with striping operations, but thanks to a $1.9-million federal grant CDOT is hoping to learn how to use them on other job sites.