Vehicle Impact Attenuation by Modular Crash Cushion

Hirsch, T. J.; Ivey, Don L.

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Vehicle Impact Attenuation by Modular Crash Cushion

1969-06-01
By Hirsch, T. J. ; Ivey, Don L.

File Language:

English

Details

Creators:

Hirsch, T. J. ; Ivey, Don L.
Corporate Creators:

Texas Transportation Institute. Texas A&M University
Corporate Contributors:

Texas Highway Department ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
Subject/TRT Terms:

Attenuation (Engineering) Crashes Crash Tests Cushioning Materials Deceleration Freeways Impacts Modular Structures Motor Vehicles Protection Testing
Publication/ Report Number:

146-1
Resource Type:

Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:

United States ; Texas
Corporate Publisher:

Texas Transportation Institute. Texas A&M University
Abstract:

The Modular Crash Cushion, in its first-generation form, is an arrangement of 55-gallon tight head drums positioned to protect motorists from inadvertently driving into rigid obstacles. This protective device is a most crash worthy and economical vehicle impact attenuator. It has been subjected to five full-scale crash tests by the Highway Safety Research Center of the Texas Transportation Institute. The occurrence of several single vehicle accidents at elevated exit ramps on the Interstate Highway System pointed out the need for such an impact attenuation system. This type of accident has occurred when motorists were traveling on the main freeway lanes and decided too late to try to turn right onto an off-ramp. The gore separating the off-ramp from the main lanes usually terminates in a reinforced concrete wall which anchors the bridge railing. This railing prevents motorists from inadvertently driving over the side of the freeway. Misjudgment on the part of the motorist when attempting this turn can result in a collision with the concrete retaining wall in the gore, even though these retaining walls have been heavily delineated as danger zones. The recurrence of accidents following the same general pattern demonstrated the need for a protective impact attenuation system at these points.
Format:

PDF
Funding:

2-8-68-146
Collection(s):

US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha-512:61cc5bd575e7f8bd9ccb36c5664b2e01ce53269c531c69aab0dd325c3348b598478605a5eb6a6a871e6c23c1324c80145b57d7ab12d366c6532702cae139c192
Download URL:

https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/85253/dot_85253_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 2.38 MB ]

File Language:

English

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