ANALYSIS OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CRASH CUSHIONS

This paper is an analysis of 127 accidents involving crash cushions in Kentucky. The primary data base was for the period 1980-1982, with some additional data before and after this period. An attempt was made to document each accident with a police report, photographs, and a repair form. The largest number of accidents (63) involved a Hi-Dro cell cushion or cluster, followed by 33 accidents involving a Guardrail Energy-Absorbing Terminal (G.R.E.A.T.) crash cushion, 19 with a temporary G.R.E.A.T. system, 10 with sand barrels, and 2 with steel drums. Average repair cost was lowest for the Hi-Dro cell cushion ($392) and highest for the Hi-Dro cell cluster ($2839). Other repair costs were $1886 for the G.R.E.A.T. system, $887 for sand-barrel installations, and $1760 for steel-drum installations. For those accidents in which performance was noted, crash cushions performed properly 85 percent of the time. Instances of improper performance generally involved either rebounding of a vehicle into or across the adjacent roadway or overturning of a vehicle. All the various types performed well. Results from the cost-effectiveness analysis show that crash cushion installations produce a benefit/cost ratio in the range of 1.0-2.0.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1985/1024/1024-011.pdf
• Summary URL:
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Safety Appurtenances.
• Authors:
  • Pigman, Jerry G
  • Agent, Kenneth R
  • Creasey, Tom
• Publication Date: 1985

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 80-91
• Monograph Title: Application of safety appurtenances
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1024
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Cost effectiveness; Costs; Crash analysis; Crash cushions; Structural analysis; Structural mechanics; Traffic crashes
• Uncontrolled Terms: Structural behavior
• Subject Areas: Design; Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00457495
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309039134
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Aug 31 1986 12:00AM