FLEXBEAM REDIRECTIONAL SYSTEM FOR THE MODULAR CRASH CUSHION

THE MODULAR CRASH CUSHION OF EMPTY MODIFIED 55-GALLON OIL DRUMS WHICH IS IN FIELD USE HAS PROVEN TO BE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL, ESPECIALLY IN HEAD-ON COLLISIONS, HOWEVER, IT DOES HAVE A POTENTIAL DANGER ZONE NEAR THE BACK. WHEN IMPACTING IN THIS DANGER ZONE, A VEHICLE CAN POCKET AND CONTACT THE RIGID OBSTACLE BEFORE LOSING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF ENERGY. IT IS EVIDENT THAT, IN THIS DANGER ZONE, REDIRECTION WOULD NORMALLY BE MORE DESIRABLE THAN COMPLETE ARRESTMENT. A SET OF STEEL DRUMS WRAPPED WITH A FLEXBEAM OF W-SECTION GUARDRAIL WAS ADDED TO THE REAR PORTION OF THE MODULAR CRASH CUSHION TO PREVENT POCKETING OF IMPACTING VEHICLES. LONGITUDINAL CABLES ON EACH SIDE OF THE FRONT PORTION OF THE CRASH CUSHION SERVE TO REDIRECT VEHICLES HITTING THE SIDES. DRAWINGS OF THE REVISED STRUCTURE INCORPORATING THESE FEATURES SHOW DETAILS FOR CONSTRUCTION. /AUTHOR/

• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System, 1600 E Lamar Boulevard
  Arlington, TX  United States  76011
• Publication Date: 1970-10

Media Info

• Pagination: 47 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash cushions; Deflectors; Drums (Containers); Safety equipment
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00222031
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: Rr-146-3 Res Rept
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 17 1973 12:00AM