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SB320 • 2026

Autonomous truck-mounted attenuators; pilot program authorized.

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 33.2-274.2, relating to Department of Transportation; autonomous truck-mounted attenuators; pilot program authorized.

Labor
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Srinivasan
Last action
2026-04-06
Official status
Acts of Assembly Chapter
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify how many ATMAs will be used in the pilot program.

Autonomous Truck-Mounted Attenuators Pilot Program

This law allows the Virginia Department of Transportation to start a pilot program for using autonomous truck-mounted attenuators (ATMAs) in mobile work zones on state highways.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows the Department of Transportation to create a pilot program for ATMAs in mobile work zones.
  • Defines 'mobile work zone' as an area where vehicles are moving at no more than 25 miles per hour for highway maintenance or construction purposes, including roadway striping, debris removal, and pothole repair.
  • Requires that ATMAs be tested and approved by the Department before being used in the pilot program.
  • Specifies that a remote operator must monitor ATMAs while they are operating autonomously within active mobile work zones.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Virginia Department of Transportation
  • Companies involved in highway maintenance or construction
  • Drivers who encounter mobile work zones

Terms To Know

Autonomous truck-mounted attenuators (ATMAs)
Self-driving trucks used to protect workers and equipment during roadwork.
Mobile work zone
An area where vehicles are moving slowly for highway maintenance or construction purposes, including roadway striping, debris removal, and pothole repair.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The pilot program will end on December 31, 2031.
  • It is not clear how many ATMAs will be used in the pilot program.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-06 Governor

    Approved by Governor-Chapter 180 (effective 7/1/2026)

  2. 2026-04-06 Governor

    Approved by Governor-Chapter 180 (effective 7/1/2026)

  3. 2026-04-06 Governor

    Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0180)

  4. 2026-03-10 Senate

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

  5. 2026-03-10 Governor

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  6. 2026-03-04 House

    Signed by Speaker

  7. 2026-03-04 Senate

    Signed by President

  8. 2026-03-04 Senate

    Enrolled

  9. 2026-03-04 Senate

    Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB320ER)

  10. 2026-03-04 Senate

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB320)

  11. 2026-02-27 House

    Read third time

  12. 2026-02-27 House

    Passed House Block Vote (96-Y 0-N 0-A)

  13. 2026-02-26 House

    Read second time

  14. 2026-02-24 Transportation

    Reported from Transportation (21-Y 0-N)

  15. 2026-02-04 House

    Placed on Calendar

  16. 2026-02-04 House

    Read first time

  17. 2026-02-04 Transportation

    Referred to Committee on Transportation

  18. 2026-01-28 Senate

    Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  19. 2026-01-27 Senate

    Read second time

  20. 2026-01-27 Senate

    Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  21. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  22. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Read first time

  23. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Passed by for the day

  24. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Passed by for the day

  25. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (38-Y 0-N 0-A)

  26. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  27. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB320)

  28. 2026-01-22 Transportation

    Reported from Transportation (15-Y 0-N)

  29. 2026-01-13 Senate

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104805D

  30. 2026-01-13 Transportation

    Referred to Committee on Transportation

Official Summary Text

Department of Transportation; autonomous truck-mounted attenuators; pilot program authorized.
Authorizes the Department of Transportation to establish a pilot program for the implementation and deployment of autonomous truck-mounted attenuators within mobile work zones, defined in the bill. The bill has an expiration date of December 31, 2031. This bill is identical to HB 582.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered
33.2-274.2
, relating to Department of Transportation; autonomous truck-mounted attenuators; pilot program authorized.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered
33.2-274.2
as follows:
§
33.2-274.2
. Autonomous truck-mounted attenuators; deployment in mobile work zones; pilot program authorized.
A. For purposes of this section, "mobile work zone" means the area in which there is a continuous or intermittent multi-vehicle mobile operation advancing at a speed of no greater than 25 miles per hour for highway maintenance or construction purposes, including roadway striping, debris removal, and pothole repair.
B. The Department may establish a pilot program for the implementation and deployment of autonomous truck-mounted attenuators (ATMAs) within mobile work zones.
C. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when participating in such pilot program, ATMAs may be operated in autonomous mode within active mobile work zones on state-maintained highways. While operating in autonomous mode, an ATMA shall be deployed in a leader-follower configuration and shall be continuously monitored by a remote operator. Such remote operator shall have the capability to visually observe such ATMA's surroundings and adjust its path or bring it to a complete stop, as necessary. A human driver shall not be required to be physically present within an ATMA during such operation in autonomous mode. However, outside of active mobile work zones, including transport on public highways to and from such mobile work zones, ATMAs shall be operated by and occupied by a human driver in accordance with all applicable motor vehicle operation laws and regulations.
D. No ATMA may be utilized in such pilot program in any mobile work zone unless it has been successfully tested under a testing plan approved by the Department to demonstrate reliable operation and performance in a leader-follower configuration. Test results shall be reviewed and approved by the Department.
E. The Department shall submit an annual report summarizing the pilot program's status and efficacy to the Chairs of the House and Senate Committees on Transportation no later than December 1 of each year.
2. That the provisions of this act shall expire on December 31, 2031.