Abstract: A modular energy absorbing soft wall system consisting of a plurality of partially overlapping interlocking panel structures slidably mounted on anchors on the side surface of an elongated concrete roadway barrier or median. Each panel consists of a flexible core layer sandwiched between an front and rear high density plastic layer. The core layer consists of a plurality of vertically extending air chambers. An elongated top piece with a flat bottom and an arched top is secured to the top portion of the core layer. The bottom portion of the system rests upon intermittent supports which extend to the road surface. During a vehicular impact energy is absorbed when the plastic layers deform, the chambers collapse, and the trapped air in the chambers escape out apertures in the inner plastic layer and through the bottom of the rubber layer.