Abstract: A crash attenuator for an exposed end of a concrete highway barrier includes a light weight array of sheet metal energy-absorbing elements interposed between diaphragms. The crash attenuator is cantilevered from one end of the barrier by a mounting arrangement that includes mounting tubes on the barrier and the attenuator that can be quickly secured together by removable pins. The energy-absorbing elements define a single row of tubular columns in forward portions of the crash attenuator and two rows of tubular columns in rearward portions of the crash attenuator. Vehicle deflecting members extend between the barrier and the crash attenuator and can fold against the barrier for storage.

Abstract: A crash attenuator for an exposed end of a concrete highway barrier includes a light weight array of sheet metal energy-absorbing elements interposed between diaphragms. The crash attenuator is cantilevered from one end of the barrier by a mounting arrangement that includes mounting tubes on the barrier and the attenuator that can be quickly secured together by removable pins. The energy-absorbing elements define a single row of tubular columns in forward portions of the crash attenuator and two rows of tubular columns in rearward portions of the crash attenuator. Vehicle deflecting members extend between the barrier and the crash attenuator and can fold against the barrier for storage.

Abstract: An energy absorbing roadside barrier includes an elongated container configured to receive and hold a volume of water. The container defines a pair of sidewalls having sufficient rigidity to stand alongside a roadway and sufficient resilience to deform upon an impact by a vehicle and to recover their shape after at least some impacts. The barrier also includes an internal frame positioned within the container. The frame includes first and second axial braces positioned adjacent respective sidewalls of the container, and the axial braces are secured together by at least one cross brace. The frame and container are formed of different materials, and the frame increases the rigidity of the barrier and strengthens the barrier against bending.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device for use alongside a roadway to decelerate an impacting vehicle includes first and second elements. The first element extends in an axial direction and includes a threaded portion that defines a multitude of projecting ridges. The second element is movable relative to the first element in the axial direction, and the first and second elements are sized to create an interference fit such that relative axial movement of the second element applies a shear load to the first element to progressively deform successive ones of the projecting elements. This progressive deformation of the projecting elements retards relative axial movement between the first and second elements.

Abstract: A vehicle crash cushion is mounted to a wall adjacent to a roadway. The cushion includes an array of panels positioned to overlap one another and oriented parallel to the wall. A mechanical linkage couples the panels to the wall and suspends the panels above grade such that the panels are movable toward the wall. Energy absorbing elastomeric tubes are positioned between the panels and the wall such that movement of the panels toward the wall deforms the energy absorbing elements, thereby retarding movement of the panels toward the wall.

Abstract: An energy absorbing roadside crash barrier includes a scissors linkage having first and second ends. The scissors linkage is movable between an extended position and a collapsed position. A mounting element is coupled to the first end of the scissors linkage to mount the scissors linkage to a roadside obstacle. Deformable energy absorbing elements are mounted to the scissors linkage and positioned such that movement of the scissors linkage from the extended to the collapsed positions deforms the energy absorbing elements, and the energy absorbing elements thereby progressively resist collapse of the scissors linkage. A tension member is secured to the scissors linkage to apply a restraining force to hold the scissors linkage in the extended position, until forces tending to collapse the linkage exceed a pre-set range of values.

Abstract: A barrier gate for a longitudinal highway barrier of the type having first and second axially aligned barrier segments separated by a gap includes two elongated gates. These gates are mounted by rails and wheels for axial movement between an opened position in which the gates reveal the gap, and a closed position, in which the gates close the gap. The gates are designed to fit over and straddle the adjacent barrier segments, and are provided with a sidewall configuration that matches the shape of the barrier segments to eliminate snagging surfaces.

Abstract: An impact attenuating device such as a truck mounted attenuator includes at least two cartridges, which are secured together by flanges and angled backing elements on adjacent portions of the upper and lower sheets of the cartridges. The forwardmost bay of the impact attenuating device includes stiffening elements on the lower surface and deformable elements which come closely adjacent to the lower surface of the impact attenuating device in order to urge an impacting vehicle with having a low bumper height upwardly, toward the center of the impact attenuating device. The end of the impact attenuating device initially struck by an impacting vehicle is covered by a resilient collapsible element having parallel pleats and recessed corners, such that the collapsible element can absorb low energy impacts without damage to the impact attenuating device.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing crash barrier is provided with multiple energy-absorbing elements. Each element includes an expanded metal sheet formed as a tubular column which is internally braced with foam. In some of the sections multiple metal columns are provided, one eccentrically positioned within the other. The expanded metal columns provide the major energy-absorbing elements of the barrier, and the eccentrically positioned columns define a preferred bending direction which tends to redirect an axially impacting vehicle away from a hardpoint. The columns in the individual elements are graduated in axial stiffness such that a forward section tends to collapse before the rearward sections, thereby providing staged collapse.

Abstract: A collapsible roadway impact attenuator includes an array of spaced parallel support elements arranged to move axially when the attenuator is struck by impacting vehicle. Elastomeric energy absorbing sheets are rigidly secured between adjacent support elements so as to extend axially and horizontally. When the attenuator is struck axially by a vehicle, the support elements move towards one another and the energy absorbing sheets form at least three inflections, thereby enhancing energy absorbing efficiency of the attenuator. Tethers can be mounted between overlying elastomeric sheets to increase the number of inflections and the energy efficiency of the attenuator.

Abstract: A transporter for a length of highway barriers includes a series of barrier transporting units, each having at least one pair of wheels positioned to straddle a length of highway barriers, at least one engaging device configured to engage one of the barriers, and at least one lifting device coupled to the engaging device to lift the engaging device and the engaged barriers. Articulating couplings interconnect axially adjacent transporting units to form a train configured to straddle the length of highway barriers such as the train can be moved over a length of highway barriers to be transported. Two tractors are connected to the train, one at each end of the train in line with the train to move the train. This transporter can be used by driving it over a length of highway barriers, using the engaging and lifting devices to lift the barriers, and then driving the transporter and the engaged barriers to a new location.

Abstract: A vehicle crash barrier for decelerating a vehicle that has left a roadway includes an elongated frame having a number of sections including a front section and at least one additional section arranged end to end along an axial direction. The frame is configured to collapse when axially struck on the front section by a vehicle. A wire cable extends generally parallel to the frame and has a forward end portion anchored independently of the frame and a rearward end portion. Friction brakes are mounted to the front section for engaging the wire cable to generate a retarding force to decelerate a vehicle as the brake moves along the wire cable during collapse of the frame following impact of the vehicle against the front section. Each section includes a pair of side panels, and axially adjacent side panels are connected by a flexible tension strap by fasteners. The tension strap operates to peel the fasteners out of the side panels during axial collapse.

Abstract: An array of inertial barriers positioned on a support surface alongside a vehicle roadway includes a number of separate containers, each having an outer wall and a lower portion. An inner core is positioned within each container to define an annular space between the core and the respective outer wall. This annular space defines an average inner diameter which is at least about 20% of the average outer diameter of the annular space. A dispersible material such as sand is disposed in the annular spaces such that no more than 10% of the mass of sand in any container of the array extends in an uninterrupted disc across the respective container.

Abstract: A highway barrier includes a collapsible guardrail assembly and a rotatable beam which is mounted between the rearward end of the guardrail assembly and a roadside hazard. The collapsible guardrail assembly includes a plurality of overlapping panels, adjacent ones of which are secured together by fasteners riding in slots. The fasteners are designed to retain the panels together after the impact and the fasteners are positioned with respect to the panels to cause the panels to tend to rotate away from the roadside during the impact, thereby redirecting the vehicle away from the roadway. The beam is rotatably mounted to the roadside hazard by a band and the forward end of the beam as well as the forward end of each of the panels is supported above the ground on a respective slip base designed to release in response to axial forces and to resist lateral forces.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted crash attenuator includes an array of parallel diaphragms. A set of cell assemblies is interposed between adjacent diaphragms, and each cell assembly is formed of two L-shaped sheet metal components which are riveted together to form a rectangular column extending between the adjacent diaphragms. These columns are cross braced by ribbed braces which extend diagonally between adjacent columns. These cross braces stabilize the columns against long column buckling and promote short column buckling, thereby increasing the energy absorbing capability of the columns.

Abstract: An inertial barrier system can be constructed with barrier units of various, sequentially increasing barrier weights (i.e., masses). The inertial barrier units are each constructed from similar parts, namely, a frangible hollow container of conical or other generally circular cross section having upper and lower portions, with the lower portion being joined to the upper portion by a substantially annular horizontal ledge; an inner core of frangible material and formed substantially as a hollow conic member with an annular flange at the open base of the conic member, the flange being dimensioned to fit onto and be supported by the ledge of the container; and a frangible cover to fit the open top of the container. The inner core is orientable in either an upwards position or a downwards position, each of which has the flange of the core resting on the ledge of the container.

Abstract: A reusable energy absorbing apparatus comprising a plurality of air chambers and valve members. The air chambers and valves are constructed so that the valve members close upon the application of an axial force, thereby sealing air within the air chambers. After the energy absorbing apparatus has reached the end of its compressive stroke, the valve members release sequentially, thereby venting the pressurized air in the air chambers to minimize rebound.

Abstract: An energy absorbing apparatus is provided to dissipate the energy of an impacting vehicle. An energy absorbing sheet having a plurality of expanded cells is wrapped at least partially around a rounded hazard, or an adaptor attached to a non-rounded hazard. When secured to a rounded hazard, or the adaptor, each cell defines a longitudinal space having a cross-sectional diameter that is smaller nearest the hazard or adaptor and larger away from the hazard or adaptor. A plurality of sheets may be used in a stacked relationship to provide a shear plane.

Abstract: An impact attenuating body is disclosed for use on trucks or the like, the impact attenuating body being arranged for engagement by vehicles or the like, the impact attenuating body being further adapted for gradually arresting motion of the vehicle and dissipating its impact energy. The impact attenuating body is formed with a collapsible form including laterally extending members with interconnecting brackets forming rows of compartments, the compartments being generally elongated along the direction of travel of the vehicle, selected compartments being void and different densities of shock absorbing material such as expanded plastic foam being arranged in the other compartments for arresting movement of the vehicle and dissipating its impact energy as the vehicle travels a selected distance after initial engagement with the body, the arrangement of shock absorbing material in the compartments being selected for causing the vehicle to continue generally along its initial travel direction.

Abstract: A guardrail end terminal including a plurality of nested fender panels and a redirecting cable for urging the fender panels laterally in response to an axial impact force. The fender panels are supported on vertical legs which are attached to slip bases and are designed to telescope in response to an axial impact force. The redirecting cable is designed to pass through the leg of the first panel and extend away from the leg at an acute angle. The panel legs and cable cooperate to direct the nose of the impacting vehicle away from the unyielding guardrail while at the same time dissipating the energy of the vehicle.