SB2009 amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to create a new definition for a “leader follower attenuator truck.” The bill describes this vehicle as a driverless truck that follows a human-driven lead vehicle, with the lead vehicle controlling the follower’s position, speed, and heading while maintaining a set gap distance. The follower truck must also have sensors capable of detecting obstacles and stopping the vehicle if needed.
The bill authorizes the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority to use these vehicles on state highways. The stated purpose is to improve safety for workers in construction and maintenance zones, where attenuator trucks are commonly used to protect road crews from traffic impacts.
Impact
If enacted, SB2009 would add a new statutory definition to the Vehicle Code and expressly permit IDOT and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority to deploy leader-follower attenuator trucks on state highways. It would affect state transportation operations, highway work-zone safety practices, and the use of automated or semi-automated vehicle technology in roadway maintenance and construction settings.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be framed as a safety and modernization measure rather than a controversial policy change. Its purpose is narrowly targeted at protecting road workers and improving highway operations, suggesting generally favorable or at least practical support in concept. No recorded opposition or amendments are provided in the available context.
Contention
No committee transcripts, votes, or formal objections are included, so there is no documented contention in the provided record. Potential areas of concern, if raised, would likely involve the safety and reliability of driverless vehicle technology, operational oversight by transportation agencies, and liability or implementation issues in work zones. However, none of these concerns are specifically attributed to any legislator, agency, or stakeholder in the materials provided.
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