DRAGNET CATCHES TRUCKS

The American company Hudson Corporation recently launched in Europe its new Dragnet system for stopping runaway lorries. Its first European installation is at the Biarritz toll plaza on the A63 in France, at the run-out from a long descent. It uses a series of nets in a staggered configuration in an enclosed safety lane. Each net is fixed to two energy absorbers, each of which uses 60m of coiled steel tape. The system can absorb impact energy by friction and deformation, and stop a 40t lorry travelling at up to 80kph, with deceleration forces of less than 0.5G. Initial tests in France show that lorry damage is limited to superficial scratching of paint and stripping of the trim. The system can replace existing safety or diversion lanes, which are used to stop lorries developing brake problems on steep descents. Dragnet technology is used extensively in the USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Its mobile installations have given valuable protection to workers at road repair sites and on contraflows. A modified version can stop a high-speed train at a level crossing.

• Corporate Authors:

  VILLAGE PUBLISHING

  24A BOOK MEWS NORTH
  LONDON,   United Kingdom  W2 3BW
• Publication Date: 1997-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 20
• Serial:
  • TRUCK
  • Publisher: VILLAGE PUBLISHING

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Absorption; Braking; Construction sites; Deceleration; Deformation; Energy; Equipment; Friction; Guardrails; Personnel; Steel; Traffic lanes; Trucks
• ITRD Terms: 6758: Absorption; 1874: Braking; 3628: Construction site; 5416: Deceleration; 5595: Deformation; 213: Energy; 3674: Equipment; 5452: Friction; 1236: Lorry; 102: Personnel; 1686: Safety fence; 4542: Steel; 2827: Traffic lane
• Subject Areas: Energy; Motor Carriers; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00738323
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jul 30 1997 12:00AM