ANALYSIS OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CRASH CUSHIONS. FINAL REPORT

This report is an analysis of 127 accidents involving crash cushions in Kentucky. The primary data base was for the period 1980-82, 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 G.R.E.A.T. crash cushion, 19 with a temporary G.R.E.A.T., 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 ($2,839). Other repair costs were $1,886 for the G.R.E.A.T. system, $887 for sand barrell installations, and $1,760 for steel drum installation. For those accidents in which performance was noted, crash cushions performed properly 85 percent of the time. Instances of improper performance generally involved either a vehicle rebounding into or across the adjacent roadway or a vehicle overturning. All of 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:
  https://doi.org/10.13023/KTC.RR.1984.17
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Kentucky, Lexington

  Kentucky Transportation Center
  College of Engineering, 176 Raymond Building
  Lexington, KY  United States  40506-0281

  Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

  200 Mero Street
  Frankfort, KY  United States  40622
• Authors:
  • Pigman, J G
  • Agent, K R
  • Creasey, T
• Publication Date: 1984-6

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: v.p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Crash analysis; Crash cushions; Performance; Repairing; Traffic crashes
• Uncontrolled Terms: Field performance
• Old TRIS Terms: Repair costs
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00457017
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: UKTRP-84-17
• Contract Numbers: KYHPR-82-90
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 27 2004 9:55PM