Driverless "crash trucks" in Lehigh Valley

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. (WPVI) -- A Lehigh Valley company is showing off its new driverless "crash truck."

Royal Truck and Equipment Incorporated demonstrated the truck yesterday in Bethlehem.

It is designed to protect workers in construction zones.

Crash trucks are typically fitted with crash barriers and used to protect construction teams.

But as a driverless vehicle, no longer will workers have to drive them, and be placed in harm's way.

"Any time a driver can be removed from these vehicles in a very dangerous situation, and if the vehicle is struck, there's nobody inside of it to receive the damage or the injuries, that's measuring success," said Robert Roy, President of Royal Truck and Equipment, Inc.

The driverless truck would follow the lead truck, perfectly mimicking its movements in speed and braking.