Abstract: A highway crash cushion provides a system response profile that reduces the stopping distance of an impact event. This crash cushion includes a frame that forms at least two bays arranged one behind another in an anticipated impact direction. The frame includes at least three transverse frames and side frames extending between adjacent transverse frames. Each of the side frames is outwardly bowed and includes first and second side frame elements coupled to the respective transverse frames, and a hinge coupled between the first and second side frame elements. At least one energy absorbing element is disposed in one of the bays, and at least first and second restraints are coupled to the side frames to resist movement of the hinges at an early stage in an impact event.

Abstract: A roadway pavement marker includes a base that supports a flexible membrane. The membrane supports an anchor plate, and the anchor plate in turn supports a reflector housing. The reflector housing is releasably secured to the anchor plate by one or more mechanical fasteners accessible from a side of the membrane opposite the base.

Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly for a roadside crash cushion includes a resilient, self-restoring tube and a compression element positioned inside the tube to brace the tube against compression along a compression axis while allowing compression of the tube in other directions. The compression element is mounted to the tube by a hinge having a first portion secured to the tube, a second portion secured to the compression element, and a hinge portion interconnecting the first and second portions. The hinge reduces bending forces on the fasteners that secure the hinge to the tube and to the compression element in an axial impact.

Abstract: A vehicle impact attenuator includes an array of resilient, self-restoring tubes arranged along a longitudinal axis. This array includes two or more tubes per row. The tubes each include a respective compression element oriented at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the array, and an elongated structure such as a set of cables or rails is positioned between the tubes and in alignment with the longitudinal axis. The tubes are guided for sliding movement along the rail or cables in an axial impact, and the tubes, compression elements, guides, and rail cooperate to redirect a laterally impacting vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle impact attenuator includes an array of resilient, self-restoring tubes arranged along a longitudinal axis. This array includes two or more tubes per row. The tubes each include a respective compression element oriented at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the array, and an elongated structure such as a set of cables or rails is positioned between the tubes and in alignment with the longitudinal axis. The tubes are guided for sliding movement along the rail or cables in an axial impact, and the tubes, compression elements, guides, and rail cooperate to redirect a laterally impacting vehicle.

Abstract: A highway crash attenuator includes an array of resilient self-restoring polymeric tubes. Adjacent tubes are secured together by threaded fasteners, and the tubes of the rear row of the array are secured to a rigid object by threaded fasteners. The tubes form a rectangular array, without cables, frameworks or panels between the exterior surfaces of the array and oncoming traffic. The tubes of the front row of the array are provided with a greater wall thickness than the remaining tubes of the array to increase the mass and stiffness of the front of the array.

Abstract: A railway crossing guard includes a pivotable crossing gate and a set of retractable barriers on the same side of a set of railroad tracks. The pivotable crossing gate is mounted adjacent a first traffic lane to move between a lowered position and a raised position, and the retractable barriers are mounted in a line oriented parallel to the traffic lanes on a median strip between first and second traffic lanes. These retractable barriers move between a retracted position, in which the retractable barriers are substantially flush with the roadway, and an extended position, in which the retractable barriers are raised above the roadway. In the extended position, the retractable barriers are positioned to block a vehicle in front of the lowered crossing gate from crossing the median strip to drive around the lowered crossing gate.

Abstract: A highway crash cushion provides a system response profile that reduces the stopping distance of an impact event. This crash cushion includes a frame that forms at least two bays arranged one behind another in an anticipated impact direction. The frame includes at least three transverse frames and side frames extending between adjacent transverse frames. Each of the side frames is outwardly bowed and includes first and second side frame elements coupled to the respective transverse frames, and a hinge coupled between the first and second side frame elements. At least one energy absorbing element is disposed in one of the bays, and at least first and second restraints are coupled to the side frames to resist movement of the hinges at an early stage in an impact event.

Abstract: A roadway deicing system uses a pressurized gas stored in a high pressure tank to dispense a solid or liquid deicer onto a roadway. An electrically powered controller responds to control inputs to control valves, such as solenoid valves, to cause the deicer to be dispensed at appropriate times. Since electrical power is not used for propelling the deicer onto the roadway, conventional storage batteries can provide long service life for the system between maintenance intervals.

Abstract: A truck mounted attenuator includes an adjustable tailgate mount having a frame, and a hanger adjustably mounted to the frame such that the hanger is movable to any of a plurality of vertical positions with respect to the frame to adjust the tailgate mount for a specific truck. The hanger is shaped and configured to support the frame at the rear of the truck. A crash cushion is secured to the frame, and the crash cushion includes at least first and second bays containing respective first and second energy absorbing elements. The first and second energy absorbing elements are shorter than the respective bays by differing amounts.

Abstract: A guardrail includes an array of vehicle-deflecting rails secured to an array of posts extending along a roadway. An impact-receiving element is slidably mounted to the forward end of the array of rails, and this impact-receiving element includes a vehicle-engaging portion having a first frontal area that is substantially greater than a second frontal area characteristic of the first end of the array of rails. A column is interposed between a forward portion of the impact-receiving element and the first post to apply initial compressive forces in a collision directly to the first post.

Abstract: A highway guardrail includes an elongated metal plate that forms at least one ridge. The plate includes weakened regions extending at least partially across the plate, and these weakened regions are oriented obliquely to the longitudinal direction to form at least one elongated fold region at which the plate tends to buckle when subjected to a sufficiently large column load. This fold region is oriented obliquely to the longitudinal direction to push the forward end of the guardrail downwardly in an axial collapse. The forward end of the guardrail includes a cable that passes through an opening in the forward support post. A split washer is positioned around this cable adjacent to the forward support post. The split washer includes first and second load transferring members that readily separate from one another after the first support post breaks at the opening in an axial impact.

Abstract: A highway crash cushion provides a system response profile that reduces the stopping distance of an impact event. This crash cushion includes a frame that forms at least two bays arranged one behind another in an anticipated impact direction. The frame includes at least three transverse frames and side frames extending between adjacent transverse frames. Each of the side frames includes first and second side frame elements coupled to the respective transverse frames, and a hinge coupled between the first and second side frame elements. At least one energy absorbing element is disposed in one of the bays, and at least first and second restraints are coupled to the side frames to resist movement of the hinges at an early stage in an impact event. The crash cushion is partially collapsed automatically as the crash cushion is raised from a horizontal to a vertical position, and then extended automatically to its operational position as the crash cushion is lowered from the vertical to the horizontal position.

Abstract: A raised pavement marker includes a rigid reflector assembly that supports two retroreflectors. The reflector assembly is resiliently mounted over a base by a resilient membrane, which is secured to the base at its outer edge. When a vehicle contacts the reflector housing, downward forces supplied by the vehicle to the reflector housing deform the membrane, which allows the reflector housing to move downwardly to pavement level. After the vehicle has passed, the resilience of the membrane restores the reflector assembly to its raised position. Methods for installing and removing the pavement marker are disclosed.

Abstract: A highway guardrail includes an elongated metal plate that forms at least one ridge. The plate includes weakened regions extending at least partially across the plate, and these weakened regions are oriented obliquely to the longitudinal direction to form at least one elongated fold region at which the plate tends to buckle when subjected to a sufficiently large column load. This fold region is oriented obliquely to the longitudinal direction to push the forward end of the guardrail downwardly in an axial collapse. The forward end of the guardrail includes a cable that passes through an opening in the forward support post. A split washer is positioned around this cable adjacent to the forward support post. The split washer includes first and second load transferring members that readily separate from one another after the first support post breaks at the opening in an axial impact.

Abstract: A highway crash cushion includes a single, central, rigid, guide rail that guides the crash cushion in axial collapse. Diaphragm assemblies are each provided with recessed legs, and a central guide that slides along the rail while locking against the rail in a lateral collision. The diaphragm assemblies support fender panels that include four longitudinally extending ridges, a central slot, and a tapered trailing edge that reduces vehicle snagging. Energy absorbing elements are disposed between the diaphragm assemblies, and each includes an indicator that clearly indicates when the element has been compressed and possibly damaged.

Abstract: A ground anchor assembly for a highway guardrail includes first and second spaced ground anchors and a connecting element interconnected between the anchors. An anchor cable included in the guardrail assembly is connected to the ground anchor assembly adjacent the first ground anchor, and the second ground anchor is situated farther from the central portion of the guardrail assembly than the first ground anchor. In this way improved pull out resistance is provided.

Abstract: A roadside energy absorbing barrier includes energy absorbing elements interposed between diaphragms, with fender panels mounted by hinges to the diaphragms. The fender panels define longitudinally extending slots, and a fastener is mounted between adjacent fender panels. This fastener includes a bolt passing through an enlarged washer, a slot in one fender panel and an adjacent fender panel. A nut is positioned on the bolt inwardly of the fender panels, and a coil spring is mounted on the bolt and reacts against the nut and the fender panels to bias the first fender panel toward the second fender panel while permitting a selected separation therebetween.

Abstract: A highway crash cushion includes a single, central, rigid, guide rail that guides the crash cushion in axial collapse. Diaphragm assemblies are each provided with recessed legs, and a central guide that slides along the rail while locking against the rail in a lateral collision. The diaphragm assemblies support fender panels that include four longitudinally extending ridges, a central slot, and a tapered trailing edge that reduces vehicle snagging. Energy absorbing elements are disposed between the diaphragm assemblies, and each includes an indicator that clearly indicates when the element has been compressed and possibly damaged.

Abstract: A support frame attaches a truck mounted attenuator to a backup vehicle. The support frame includes a rear section connected to a front section by a linkage which includes two spaced side frames. The side frames each include three hinges, with the intermediate hinge arranged to fold outwardly in an impact. The hinges pivot about vertical hinge axes such that the front section is supported during pivoting of the hinges. The support frame is held in an initial configuration by restraining cables connected between the linkage and the front section. The cables are releasably secured to the front section by a trigger mechanism which is activated by the position of a probe mounted to the TMA.