Crash Test and Evaluation of Temporary Wood Sign Support System for Large Guide Signs

The objective of this research task was to evaluate the impact performance of a temporary wood sign support system for large guide signs. It was desired to use existing Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) sign hardware in the design to the extent possible. The full-scale crash testing followed the procedures recommended in the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). In MASH Test 3-60, the Temporary Wood Sign Support System for Large Guide Signs readily activated by fracturing in various designed locations. The fractured posts did not penetrate or show potential for penetrating the occupant compartment, and did not present hazard to others in the area. The sign panel came to rest on the roof of the vehicle with resulting occupant compartment deformation of 2.5 inches. Occupant risk factors were within the limits specified in MASH. In MASH Test 3-61, the TxDOT Large Temporary Wood Sign Support readily activated by fracturing in various designed locations. The fractured posts did not penetrate or show potential for penetrating the occupant compartment, and did not present hazard to others in the area. No occupant deformation or intrusion occurred. Occupant risk factors were within the preferred limits specified in MASH. The Temporary Wood Sign Support System for Large Guide Signs performed acceptably for MASH Tests 3-60 and 3-61. Accompanying wind load charts and foundation embedment depths were developed and presented for all acceptable temporary wood support sizes deemed crashworthy based on the tests performed under this project and previous research efforts. These design charts and tables can be used to develop standard detail sheets to aid designers in the selection of appropriate support details for a given sign.

• Record URL:
  • http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/9-1002-15-4.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://library.ctr.utexas.edu/Presto/search/SearchResults_ClearCriteria.aspx?q=(catalog.ID=(34417))
• Corporate Authors:

  Texas A&M Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System
  3135 TAMU
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135

  Texas Department of Transportation

  Research and Technology Implementation Office, P.O. Box 5080
  Austin, TX  United States  78763-5080

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Arrington, Dusty R
  • Bligh, Roger P
  • Menges, Wanda L
  • Kuhn, Darrell L
• Publication Date: 2016-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Test Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 84p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash tests; Evaluation; Guide signs; Sign supports; Size; Vehicle occupants; Wood
• Identifier Terms: AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01608551
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/TX-15/9-1002-15-4, 9-1002-15-4
• Contract Numbers: 9-1002-15
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 29 2016 11:10AM