A vehicle is provided for installing in a prepared area along a ground surface a protective structural support proximate a buried pipeline in an automated manner. The vehicle includes a chassis with a plurality of wheels and a payload release mechanism coupled to the chassis and including a roller for holding the protective structural support. The payload release mechanism is configured to dispense and lay down the protective structural support in the prepared area. The vehicle includes a liquid dispensing mechanism that is coupled to the chassis and is located downstream of the payload release mechanism. The liquid dispensing mechanism includes a liquid source and a dispenser that is in fluid communication with the liquid source and is configured to dispense liquid across a spray area.