Will AI Replace Highway Maintenance Workers?

Set out signs and cones around work areas to divert traffic.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Flag motorists to warn them of obstacles or repair work ahead.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Perform preventative maintenance on vehicles and heavy equipment.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Drive trucks to transport crews and equipment to work sites.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Erect, install, or repair guardrails, road shoulders, berms, highway markers, warning signals, and highway lighting, using hand tools and power tools.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Clean and clear debris from culverts, catch basins, drop inlets, ditches, and other drain structures.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Drive heavy equipment and vehicles with adjustable attachments to sweep debris from paved surfaces, mow grass and weeds, remove snow and ice, and spread salt and sand.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Haul and spread sand, gravel, and clay to fill washouts and repair road shoulders.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Inspect, clean, and repair drainage systems, bridges, tunnels, and other structures.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Remove litter and debris from roadways, including debris from rock and mud slides.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Dump, spread, and tamp asphalt, using pneumatic tampers, to repair joints and patch broken pavement.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Perform roadside landscaping work, such as clearing weeds and brush, and planting and trimming trees.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Apply poisons along roadsides and in animal burrows to eliminate unwanted roadside vegetation and rodents.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Measure and mark locations for installation of markers, using tape, string, or chalk.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Paint traffic control lines and place pavement traffic messages, by hand or using machines.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Apply oil to road surfaces, using sprayers.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Inspect markers to verify accurate installation.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Place and remove snow fences used to prevent the accumulation of drifting snow on highways.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Blend compounds to form adhesive mixtures used for marker installation.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.