Abstract
This project conducted a feasibility study of adopting autonomous maintenance technologies (AMTs) for Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) road maintenance activities. It surveyed state DOT representatives on AMT adoption, reviewed candidate AMT products and automation levels, and conducted a preacceptance survey to INDOT maintenance personnel. The market and technology reviews identified 51 AMTs across eight categories: snowplowing, mowing, crack sealing, pothole patching, traffic-control-device setup and retrieval, sweeping, culvert inspection, and roadway inspection and three automation types: full automation, partial automation, and remote operation. The INDOT survey showed cautious, technology-specific acceptance, with highest near-term potential for traffic control device setup, culvert inspection, and roadway inspection. Autonomous snowplowing had the lowest acceptance rate. The report recommends a phased adoption strategy that prioritizes low-exposure, inspection/data, and human-in-the-loop applications.
Keywords
autonomous maintenance technologies, road maintenance, work zone, feasibility analysis, pre-acceptance survey
Report Number
FHWA/IN/JTRP-2026/26
SPR Number
4921
Sponsoring Organization
Indiana Department of Transportation
Performing Organization
Joint Transportation Research Program
Publisher Place
West Lafayette, Indiana
Date of Version
2026
DOI
10.5703/1288284318709
Recommended Citation
John, A. P., Zhang, C., Chen, Y., & Feng, Y. (2026). Exploring autonomous maintenance technologies (AMT) in INDOT road maintenance activities: A feasibility study (Joint Transportation Research Program Publication No. FHWA/IN/JTRP-2026/26). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284318709
SPR-4921 Technical Summary