This page covers one of the 2021 innovation winners.
Truck Paver
Submitted by: Ryan Gerhart, Keith Mockensturm, Bob Hamilton, & Sam Sweet (Ft. Wayne District)
This INDOT innovation streamlines small‑scale paving work by turning a standard dump truck into a fully functional asphalt paver. The truck paver is a twelve‑foot‑wide, rear‑mounted attachment that connects to the dump truck using the chipper bar mount. It can be easily mobilized through the lower portion of the snowplow mount, allowing crews to move and operate the unit without extra equipment.
With this setup, the dump truck hauls the asphalt, positions the paver, and feeds material directly into it by raising the bed. This allows the truck to screed asphalt efficiently in a single, integrated operation. The original prototype was creatively fabricated from a retired snowplow, demonstrating INDOT’s resourcefulness and commitment to innovation.
INDOT is partnering with Trine University to refine the design and develop a more advanced version of the tool. This innovation aims to make paving tasks quicker, more efficient, and more accessible for crews across the state.
