CUSHIONING THE BLOW BRUMMIE STYLE

Nearly 15% of annually reported injury accidents in Birmingham involve the driver losing control and going on to strike a second vehicle or roadside object. A symposium at Birmingham university was held in January 1987 to discuss various aspects of single vehicle accidents and their treatment. One of the participating delegates was from energy absorption systems, an American company who have developed the great' system (guard rail energy absorbing terminal) which was claimed to have saved 12500 lives in 17 years. This was deemed suitable particularly for birmingham's "butterfly sign" sites where 60% of accidents are fatal or involve serious injury. The construction of the crash cushion and its installation at two sites is described. The corrugated side panels and backups of the cushion form a torsionally stiff box which resists lifting and twisting under impact. Penetration of the vehicle is prevented and redirection is provided by the stiff structure and chains attached to the ground. The energy of impact is absorbed by foam-filled cartridges and crashes of over 70 mph should be survived without excessive deformation of car or cushion. Results so far have given cause for optimism and the technique may be used more widely. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00396303
• Corporate Authors:

  Specialist and Professional Press

  Surrey House, 1 Throwley Way
  Sutton, Surrey SM1 4QQ,   England 
• Authors:
  • PROCTOR, S
  • Greaves, D
  • Beresford, T
  • Bowling, J
• Publication Date: 1988-1-21

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 20-22
• Serial:
  • SURVEYOR
  • Volume: 169
  • Issue Number: 4978
  • Publisher: Hemming Group, Limited
  • ISSN: 0039-6303

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Absorption; Crashes; Energy; Guardrails; Hazards; Highways; Improvements; Injuries; Obstructions (Navigation); Prevention; Safety; Urban areas; Vehicles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Side
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 6758: Absorption; 1661: Accident prevention; 1631: Collision; 213: Energy; 2755: Highway; 9108: Improvement; 2163: Injury; 1644: Obstacle; 9054: One; 9149: Prevention; 1686: Safety fence; 9074: Side; 8119: United Kingdom; 313: Urban area; 1255: Vehicle
• Subject Areas: Design; Energy; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00480066
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 31 1989 12:00AM