Autonomous shadow vehicle prototype overview

Shadow vehicles are used to protect freeway maintenance activities from other vehicles. Annually, many shadow vehicle drivers are seriously injured or killed due to errant drivers. This paper presents an overview of an autonomous shadow vehicle research and development project. The driver-less shadow vehicle can track a lead vehicle, such as a road sweeper, or be driven using a remote control box for stop and go freeway maintenance operations. An overview of the lead vehicle user interface and tracking systems employed and control strategies used are also presented. The autonomous shadow vehicle is currently under development and testing