Unmanned Traffic Management Vehicle with Impact Attenuation

Abstract

An unmanned traffic management vehicle has a control system having a controller that interfaces with a steering interface and a drive interface for controlling respective steering and drive subsystems of the vehicle. The vehicle also has an impact attenuator and an actuator for the impact attenuator, the actuator for configuring the attenuator into a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration. The control system includes at least one unmanned mode controller operable to control the steering interface and the drive interface for controlling the vehicle in at least one of a follow mode, a remote control, and an autonomous unmanned operating mode. To control traffic, the vehicle may be driven to a roadside location and placed in at least one unmanned operating mode to control the steering interface and the drive interface accordingly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to roadside traffic management vehicles, and more particularly to an unmanned traffic management vehicle that is configurable to attenuate impacts in at least one unmanned operating mode. Summary of the invention

[0002] According to one aspect, an unmanned traffic management vehicle is provided, the unmanned traffic management vehicle comprising a control system having a controller, the controller being connected to a steering interface and a drive interface for controlling corresponding steering subsystems and drive subsystems of the vehicle; an impact attenuator and an attenuation actuator for the impact attenuator, the attenuation actuator being used to configure the attenuator to a deployed configuration and a retracted configuration; and wherein the control system comprises at least one unmanned driving mode controller, the at least one unmanned driving mode controller being operable to control the steering interface and the drive interface for controlling the vehicle in at least one unmanned driving operation mode, the control system comprising a mode control interface, the mode control interface being configured to set at least one unmanned driving operation mode, and at least one unmanned driving mode controller comprising: a following mode controller, the following mode controller being configured to control the vehicle in an unmanned driving following operation mode, and wherein the vehicle comprises a data interface, and wherein, in using In use, the data interface is configured to receive waypoint data from a leading vehicle, and wherein the following mode controller is configured to control the steering interface and the drive interface to control the vehicle to follow the leading vehicle using the waypoint data; a remote control mode controller, which is configured to control the vehicle in an unmanned remote control operation mode, wherein the remote control mode controller receives control instructions from a remote control unit, the remote controller including a control element for controlling at least one of steering and driving of the vehicle, and a control element for correspondingly controlling at least one of the steering interface and the drive interface; and an unmanned autonomous control mode controller, which is configured to control the vehicle in an unmanned autonomous control operation mode, wherein, in use, the unmanned autonomous control mode controller is configured to control the steering interface and the drive interface so that the vehicle follows a predetermined waypoint route defined by a route waypoint data file.

[0003] In the driverless follow operation mode, the controller may be configured to display a driving instruction sign including a turning direction and a stop instruction sign, and the controller may be configured to receive a driving instruction data signal from a leading vehicle and display the driving instruction sign according to the driving instruction data signal.

[0004] In the driverless follow mode of operation, the control system may be configured to detect the relative positions of the driverless traffic management vehicle and the lead vehicle and determine the distance along the route therebetween and display the distance using electronic signage.

[0005] The remote control unit may include a sign control element configured to remotely select one of the plurality of signs to be displayed on the electronic sign.

[0006] The attenuator is pivotally coupled to the rear of the vehicle to pivot upwardly to a stowed configuration and downwardly to a deployed configuration, and wherein the electronic sign is revealable behind the attenuator in the stowed configuration.

[0007] The attenuator may include a rear surface and the traffic management vehicle may further include an attenuator electronic sign on the rear surface, and wherein, in the stowed configuration, the controller may be configured to display a plurality of signs on the attenuator electronic sign, and in the deployed configuration, the controller may be configured to display a plurality of signs on the electronic sign.

[0008] The traffic management vehicle may also include a lift having a sign thereon, the lift being capable of being raised when the attenuator is in the stowed configuration such that the sign on the lift is visible above the attenuator.

[0009] The unmanned traffic management vehicle also includes another electronic sign across the rear impact surface of the attenuator, and the controller can be configured to display a sign on the other electronic sign when the attenuator is in the deployed configuration.

[0010] The remote controller may include a control element for stowing or deploying the attenuator, and the controller may be configured to control the attenuation actuator in accordance with a control signal received from the remote controller.

[0011] The remote control unit may include a mode control element configured to remotely set at least one unmanned operating mode.

[0012] The predetermined waypoint route may include a waypoint area in which the attenuator is deployed and a waypoint area in which the attenuator is stowed, and wherein, when in the unmanned autonomous control operating mode, the controller may be configured to control the attenuation actuator to deploy or stow the attenuator accordingly.

[0013] In at least one unmanned operating mode, the controller may be configured to sense a speed of the traffic management vehicle and automatically deploy the impact attenuator when the speed may be less than a set speed deployment threshold.

[0014] In at least one unmanned operating mode, the controller may be configured to sense an edge deviation of the traffic management vehicle relative to an edge of a roadway and automatically deploy the impact attenuator based on the edge deviation.

[0015] The unmanned traffic management vehicle may include at least one proximity sensor, and in at least one unmanned operating mode, the controller may be configured to detect obstacles using the proximity sensor and control at least one of the steering and drive interface to avoid collision with the obstacle.

[0016] The mode control interface may allow a following distance to be set, and in the driverless following mode of operation, the following mode controller may be configured to follow the lead vehicle at the following distance.

[0017] The mode control interface may allow configuration of a lateral steering offset, and wherein, in operation in an unmanned autonomous control mode, the following mode controller may be configured to adjust the lateral position of the vehicle based on the lateral steering offset.

[0018] The vehicle may include an electric drive train.

[0019] According to another aspect, a method is provided that includes driving a vehicle to a roadside location, then placing the vehicle in an unmanned driving mode of operation, and causing the vehicle to drive autonomously.

[0020] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] A preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, although there are any other forms that may fall within the scope of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 shows a side view of an unmanned traffic management vehicle including an attenuator in a deployed configuration;

[0023] Figure 2 A vehicle is shown with the attenuator in a stowed configuration;

[0024] Figure 3 A top plan view of a vehicle is shown;

[0025] Figure 4 showing a rear view of a vehicle with the attenuator in a stowed configuration; and

[0026] Figure 5 A control system of a vehicle according to an embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Figure 1 and Figure 2A side view of a traffic management vehicle 100 is shown according to an embodiment. The traffic management vehicle 100 may include a cab 101 and a flatbed 104.

[0028] The vehicle 100 includes Figure 1 1 and 2. The deployable crash attenuator 109 is shown in FIG. 1 and is deployed downwardly on the pivot mechanism 108 to expose the rearward impact surface 110 and the logo. Figure 2 The vehicle 100 is shown with the attenuator 109 stowed by pivoting upwardly on the pivot mechanism 108. In this configuration, its rearward facing face may also display insignia.

[0029] The vehicle 100 may further include an electronic sign 106 for displaying a plurality of signs thereon. In an embodiment, the electronic sign 106 may include a high intensity multi-color dot matrix display. Figure 1 It can be seen that when the attenuator 109 is in the deployed configuration, the electronic sign 106 is visible thereover.

[0030] In an embodiment, the vehicle 100 may include an attenuator electronic sign 136 on the rear of the attenuator 109 that is visible when the attenuator 109 is in the stowed configuration. Figure 1 In the stowed configuration shown, the attenuator electronic sign 136 can be controlled to display the sign, however, when the attenuator 109 is in Figure 1 In the deployed configuration shown, the electronic sign 106 can be used to display a sign thereon. In an embodiment, the vehicle 100 can also include another electronic sign across the rearward impact surface 110 of the attenuator 109 that is controlled to display a sign on the attenuator 109 when the attenuator 109 is in the deployed configuration.

[0031] The vehicle 100 may also include further signs 107. The further signs 107 may include directional indication lighting, which may include a plurality of lights arranged to display a directional arrow (including flashing simultaneously), etc. These lights may be controlled in subsets to change the direction of the indicated arrow.

[0032] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle 100 includes a lift 135 to raise the other sign 107 above the electronic sign 106 so that both are visible from the rear of the vehicle above the attenuator 109 when the attenuator 109 is in the stowed configuration.

[0033] In an embodiment, when the vehicle 100 is in the sign display mode of operation, the lift 135 may be automatically raised when the attenuator 109 is in the stowed configuration.

[0034] In an embodiment, the vehicle 100 includes visibility lighting 103 .

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, vehicle 100 is an electric vehicle that includes a battery power source for an electric drive train, making it particularly suitable for a carefully controlled, low-speed, driverless operating mode as described in further detail below.

[0036] Figure 5 A control system 134 of the vehicle 100 is shown according to an embodiment.

[0037] The control system 134 includes a controller 115, which includes a processor for processing digital data and a memory device operatively coupled thereto via a system bus. The memory device is configured to store digital data including computer program code instructions that are retrieved, decoded and executed by the processor in use. These computer program code instructions can be logically divided into various controllers (the controller includes Figure 5 ), including controllers for an unmanned mode of operation.

[0038] The control system 134 includes a steering interface 126 for controlling the steering subsystem of the vehicle 100, typically operable to control the front two wheels of the vehicle 100 so as to enable the vehicle 100 to turn left and right. In addition, the control system 134 includes a drive interface 127, which is operable to control the drive subsystem of the vehicle 100 so as to allow the vehicle to be driven forward, including driving at various speeds and driving in reverse.

[0039] The control system 134 may include an attenuation actuator 111 configured to stow and deploy the attenuator 109, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this regard, the controller may include an attenuator controller 121 operable to control the attenuator actuator 111. In an embodiment, the control system 134 may include a user interface to allow the driver to raise and lower the attenuator 109 from within the cab 101.

[0040] However, in an embodiment, the control system 134 may be remotely controlled using a remote control unit 129 that communicates via a data interface 114 (such as a short-range radio frequency interface or an alternative long-range GSM data interface, etc.). To this end, the remote control unit 129 may include an attenuator control element 132 for raising and lowering the attenuator 109, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown.

[0041] In an embodiment, the control system 134 may automatically deploy the attenuator 109 during unmanned mode operation.

[0042] The control system 134 may include an actuator 105 for raising and lowering a lift 135 of another sign 107. In addition, the control system 134 may draw power from a power source 128. The power source 128 may additionally provide power to an electric drive train of the vehicle 100.

[0043] The controller may include a display controller 124 that controls the signage of the electronic sign 106 and other electronic signs. In an embodiment, a storage device of the control system 134 includes a plurality of road signs that can be selected by an operator to be displayed on the electronic sign 106. As such, in use, using the in-vehicle user interface or via the sign control 130 of the remote control unit 129, a user may use the electronic sign 106 to control the display of different road signs.

[0044] In an embodiment, the control system 134 may automatically control the signs displayed by the electronic sign 106 according to the current operating mode of the vehicle 100. For example, the control system 134 may use the electronic sign 106 to display different road signs depending on whether the vehicle is under driver control or operating in an unmanned operating mode.

[0045] In an embodiment, different signs may be displayed depending on the type of driverless mode. In another embodiment, the control system 134 may display different signs when the vehicle is in reverse. In another embodiment, the control system 134 may infer the speed of the vehicle 100, including by interfacing with its vehicle subsystem or alternatively determining the speed from the GPS location sensor 125 so that the electronic sign 106 can be used to display the vehicle's travel speed, or alternatively, different signs may be displayed depending on the current speed of the vehicle 100. In another embodiment, the control system 134 may use the electronic sign 106 to display different signs depending on the upcoming maneuver of the vehicle 100 (e.g., left turn, right turn, stop, start, etc.).

[0046] The control system 134 may include proximity sensors 124 for sensing the proximity of various objects and obstacles relative to the vehicle 100. For example, radar or ultrasonic proximity sensors may be deployed around the vehicle to, for example, detect obstacles. The control system 134 may be configured to stop the vehicle upon detecting an obstacle ahead, for example, or alternatively maneuver around the obstacle.

[0047] The control system 134 may include a mode control interface 122 that allows for configuration of a particular driving operating mode. In an embodiment, the remote control unit 129 may include a mode control element 133 for remotely controlling the operating mode of the vehicle 100 .

[0048] The control system 134 may include a drive control interface 123 for controlling the vehicle 100 from within the cab 101. In the driver operating mode, an operator may operate the vehicle 100 in a conventional manner, including driving the vehicle 100 to a location.

[0049] However, in the field, the user can then configure the vehicle 100 in at least one driverless operating mode, wherein the controller 115 controls the steering 126 and the driver interface 127 to respectively control the steering and driver of the vehicle 100. As described above, the controller 115 can also control the signs displayed by the electronic sign 106 accordingly.

[0050] See also Figure 5 , the controller 115 includes a following mode controller 117 for controlling the driving and steering of the vehicle 100 to follow the leading vehicle. For example, the leading vehicle may include a mowing unit operating on the edge of a road. The mowing unit may include a GPS receiver that determines the location of the mowing unit and transmits a breadcrumb waypoint file to the vehicle 100 via the data interface 114. The following mode controller 117 is then configured to control the steering interface 126 and the driving interface 127 so that the vehicle 100 follows the configured distance behind the mowing unit.

[0051] For example, a steering offset may be provided when the following mode controller 117 may be configured to adjust the lateral position of the vehicle so as to travel on the road rather than on the edge directly behind the mowing unit.

[0052] The operator may drive the vehicle 100 to a position behind a maintenance machine, such as a mowing unit. The operator may then control the mode control interface 122 within the vehicle 100 to configure the vehicle 100 to the driverless follow mode of operation. When entering the driverless follow mode of operation, the attenuator 109 may be deployed by the operator or, alternatively, automatically deployed by the controller 115. The operator may then walk away from the cab 101 to allow the vehicle 100 to autonomously follow the maintenance machine in the manner previously described. Alternatively, once the operator walks away from the cab 101, the operator may use the mode control element 133 of the remote control unit 129 to switch the vehicle 100 to the driverless follow mode.

[0053] The controller 115 includes a remote control mode controller 118 configured for controlling the vehicle 100 in an unmanned remote control operation mode, wherein steering and driving of the vehicle 100 and other functions are remotely controlled from a remote control unit 129 .

[0054] In this regard, the remote control unit 129 may include a position control element 131 for controlling the steering and driving of the vehicle 100. For example, using the position control element 131, the operator may control the left and right steering of the vehicle 100 and control the driving direction and speed of the vehicle from a distance.

[0055] The controller 115 includes an autonomous control mode controller 119 configured to control the vehicle 100 in an autonomous unmanned driving operation mode. According to the operation mode, a route waypoint file including a plurality of navigation waypoints may be generated. The route waypoint file may be generated using a data recording unit that travels along a predetermined route in advance.

[0056] Therefore, the autonomous control mode controller 119 may read a route waypoint file from the memory of the controller 115 or receive a waypoint route via the data interface 114, and then control the steering interface 126 and the drive interface 127 to allow the vehicle 100 to follow the set route by following each waypoint of the route waypoint file in sequence.

[0057] As described above, the controller 115 may configure a plurality of signs on the electronic sign 106 for the plane according to the unmanned driving operation mode.

[0058] In the unmanned driving autonomous control operation mode, the controller 115 may be configured to display driving instructions on the vehicle's electronic sign 106 or other electronic signs. The driving instructions may include turning directions and stop instructions.

[0059] In an embodiment, the controller 115 is configured to display a driving indication sign before controlling the steering interface 126 and the driving interface 127 accordingly. In an embodiment, the controller is configured to examine a route waypoint data file to infer a direction indication therefrom. For example, the timestamps of the waypoints within the route waypoint data file may be analyzed to detect deceleration or stopping, so that a stop indication sign may be appropriately displayed in advance. In addition, the lateral offset of the waypoint indicating a change in directional lane may be analyzed by the controller 115 to appropriately display a turn direction indication sign in advance.

[0060] In the unmanned driving following operation mode, the control system 134 may be configured to display a driving instruction sign including a turning direction and a stop instruction sign of the leading vehicle. According to this embodiment, the controller 115 may be configured to receive a driving instruction data signal from the leading vehicle through the data interface 114 and display the driving instruction sign according to the driving instruction data signal.

[0061] Additionally, in the driverless follow mode of operation, the control system 134 may be configured to detect the respective positions of the driverless traffic management vehicle 100 and the lead vehicle, and determine the distance therebetween, and display the distance using the electronic sign 106 or other electronic sign of the vehicle 100. The control system 134 may be calculated to detect the distance between the traffic management vehicle 100 and the lead vehicle along the active route to account for road curvature.

[0062] The sign control interface 130 of the remote control unit 129 may be used to select which sign is to be displayed by the electronic sign 106 or other electronic sign of the vehicle 100. In an embodiment, the sign control interface 130 may display a library of images of available signs for selection. Alternatively, the sign control interface 130 may allow the user to specify an operating mode, such as a mowing driverless follow operating mode, in which the controller 115 selects the appropriate sign to display an indication of the vehicle 100 following behind the mower.

[0063] In an embodiment, the predetermined waypoint route includes a waypoint region of the attenuator 109 that will be deployed in the waypoint region where the attenuator will be retracted. Thus, when in the unmanned autonomous control operation mode, the controller 115 can be configured to control the actuator 111 to deploy or retract the attenuator accordingly. According to this embodiment, when the predetermined waypoint route causes the vehicle 100 to stop, the controller 115 can automatically deploy the attenuator 109. Conversely, when the predetermined waypoint route causes the vehicle 100 to start traveling, the controller 115 can automatically retract the attenuator 109.

[0064] In an embodiment, the controller 115 is configured to sense the speed of the traffic management vehicle 100, such as by using a position sensor 125 or a vehicle management interface to sense the speed of the vehicle 100 and automatically deploy the impact attenuator 109 when the speed is less than a set speed deployment threshold, such as less than 10 km per hour or when the vehicle 100 is stationary for a period of time.

[0065] In an embodiment, in at least one unmanned operating mode, the controller 115 may be configured to sense the edge deviation of the traffic management vehicle 100 relative to the edge of the road and automatically deploy or retract the attenuator 109 accordingly. The controller 115 may use the position sensor 125 to determine the lateral offset of the traffic management vehicle 100. In an alternative embodiment, the control system 104 may include a vision subsystem (not shown) from which the controller 115 obtains and analyzes surrounding image data to infer the lateral offset from the edge of the road or centerline markings to determine the lateral offset of the vehicle 100. In this manner, for example, the attenuator 109 may be automatically deployed when the vehicle straddles the edge of the road or in the center of a particular lane.

[0066] In an embodiment, the motor control interface 122 allows for setting a following distance such that when the vehicle 100 is operating in the driverless following mode of operation, the following mode controller 117 is configured to control the drive interface 127 to follow the lead vehicle at the configured following distance.

[0067] For the purpose of explanation, the above description uses specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that, in order to practice the present invention, specific details are not required. Thus, the foregoing description of specific embodiments of the present invention is presented for the purpose of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed, because in view of the above teachings, many modifications and variations are obviously possible. Select and describe embodiments in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, thereby enabling other technical personnel in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications suitable for the intended specific use. The attached claims and their equivalents are intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An unmanned traffic management vehicle, comprising a control system having a controller, the controller interfacing with a steering interface and a drive interface for controlling a corresponding steering subsystem and a drive subsystem of the vehicle; an impact attenuator and an attenuation actuator for the impact attenuator, the attenuation actuator for configuring the impact attenuator into a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration, and wherein, The control system comprises at least one unmanned driving mode controller operable to control the steering interface and the drive interface for controlling the vehicle in at least one unmanned driving operation mode, the control system comprises a mode control interface configured to set the at least one unmanned driving operation mode, and the at least one unmanned driving mode controller comprises: a following mode controller configured to control the vehicle in an unmanned following mode of operation, and wherein the vehicle comprises a data interface, and wherein, in use, the data interface is configured to receive waypoint data from a lead vehicle, and wherein the following mode controller is configured to control the steering interface and the drive interface to control the vehicle to follow the lead vehicle using the waypoint data; a remote control mode controller configured to control the vehicle in an unmanned remote control operation mode, wherein the remote control mode controller receives control instructions from a remote control unit, the remote controller including a control element for controlling at least one of steering and driving of the vehicle, and a control element for correspondingly controlling at least one of the steering interface and the driving interface; and an unmanned driving autonomous control mode controller configured to control the vehicle in an unmanned driving autonomous control mode of operation, wherein, in use, the unmanned driving autonomous control mode controller is configured to control the steering interface and the drive interface so that the vehicle follows a predetermined waypoint route defined by a route waypoint data file, Wherein the impact attenuator is pivotally coupled to the rear of the vehicle to pivot upward to the stowed configuration and downward to the deployed configuration.

2. The unmanned traffic management vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The traffic management vehicle further comprises an electronic sign, and wherein the controller is configured to display a plurality of signs of the controller according to the at least one driverless operating mode.

3. The unmanned traffic management vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: In the unmanned driving autonomous control operation mode, the controller is configured to display a driving instruction sign including a turning direction and a stop instruction sign before the controller controls the steering interface and the driving interface, respectively.

4. The unmanned traffic management vehicle according to claim 3, wherein: The controller is configured to analyze the route waypoint data file to infer direction instructions and stop instructions therefrom.

5. The unmanned traffic management vehicle of claim 4 , wherein the controller analyzes waypoint timestamps within the route waypoint data file to detect at least one deceleration or stop location along the predetermined waypoint route, and displays a stop indicator using the electronic sign prior to the at least one deceleration or stop location.

6. The unmanned traffic management vehicle of claim 4 , wherein the controller analyzes lateral offset positions of waypoints within the route waypoint data to detect a change in at least one directional position along the predetermined waypoint route, and displays a turn direction sign using the electronic sign prior to the change in at least one directional position.

7. The unmanned traffic management vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: In the unmanned driving following operation mode, the controller is configured to display a driving instruction sign including a turning direction and a stop instruction sign, and wherein the controller is configured to receive a driving instruction data signal from the leading vehicle and display the driving instruction sign according to the driving instruction data signal.

8. The unmanned traffic management vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: In the unmanned following operation mode, the control system is configured to detect the respective positions of the unmanned traffic management vehicle and the leading vehicle, and determine the distance along the route between the unmanned traffic management vehicle and the leading vehicle, and display the distance using the electronic sign.

9. The unmanned traffic management vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: The remote control unit includes a sign control element configured for remotely selecting one of the plurality of signs for display on the electronic sign.

10. The unmanned traffic management vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: In the stowed configuration, the electronic sign is exposed behind the impact attenuator.

11. The unmanned traffic management vehicle according to claim 10, wherein: The impact attenuator includes a rear surface, and wherein the traffic management vehicle further includes an attenuator electronic sign on the rear surface, and wherein, in the stowed configuration, the controller is configured to display a plurality of signs on the attenuator electronic sign, and in the deployed configuration, the controller is configured to display a plurality of signs on the electronic sign.

12. The unmanned traffic management vehicle according to claim 10, wherein: The traffic management vehicle also includes a lift having indicia thereon, the lift being capable of being raised such that the indicia on the lift is visible above the impact attenuator when the impact attenuator is in the stowed configuration.

13. The unmanned traffic management vehicle of claim 11 further comprising another electronic sign across a rear impact surface of the impact attenuator, and wherein: The controller is configured to display a sign on the other electronic sign when the impact attenuator is in the deployed configuration.

14. The unmanned traffic management vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The remote controller includes a control element for stowing or deploying the impact attenuator, and wherein the controller is configured to control the attenuation actuator according to a control signal received from the remote controller.

15. The unmanned traffic management vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The remote control unit comprises a mode control element configured for remotely setting the at least one driverless operation mode.

16. The unmanned traffic management vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The predetermined waypoint route includes a waypoint area where the impact attenuator is to be deployed and a waypoint area where the impact attenuator is to be stowed, and wherein, when in the unmanned autonomous control operating mode, the controller is configured to control the attenuation actuator to deploy or stow the impact attenuator accordingly.

17. The unmanned traffic management vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: In the at least one unmanned operating mode, the controller is configured to sense a speed of the traffic management vehicle and automatically deploy the impact attenuator when the speed is less than a set speed deployment threshold.

18. The unmanned traffic management vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: In the at least one unmanned operating mode, the controller is configured to sense an edge offset of the traffic management vehicle relative to an edge of a roadway and automatically deploy the impact attenuator based on the edge offset.

19. The unmanned traffic management vehicle according to claim 1 further includes at least one proximity sensor, and in at least one unmanned operating mode, the controller is configured to use the proximity sensor to detect obstacles and control at least one of the steering interface and the drive interface to avoid collision with the obstacle.

20. The unmanned traffic management vehicle of claim 1, wherein: The mode control interface allows a following distance to be set, and in the driverless following mode of operation, the following mode controller is configured to follow the lead vehicle at the following distance.

21. The unmanned traffic management vehicle of claim 1, wherein: The mode control interface allows configuration of a lateral steering offset, and wherein, in the unmanned autonomous control operating mode, the following mode controller is configured to adjust the lateral position of the vehicle based on the lateral steering offset.

22. The unmanned traffic management vehicle of claim 1, wherein: The vehicle includes an electric drive train.

23. A method of traffic management using a vehicle according to claim 1, the method comprising driving the vehicle to a roadside location, then placing the vehicle in an unmanned operating mode, and causing the vehicle to drive autonomously.

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