Abstract: A method of protecting a roadway maintenance or construction site in which a crash cushion is suspended beneath a straddle carrier-type vehicle. The crash cushion preferably comprises an inertial system of free standing sand filled plastic containers or other suitable impact attenuator which in some cases is used with a backup structure. The vehicle is connected to a towing vehicle and is towed to the maintenance or construction site or can also be used in a self-propelled configuration. When the crash cushion is located in a position to block oncoming traffic at the site, it is lowered onto the roadway and disconnected from the straddle carrier-type vehicle. The towing vehicle and straddle carrier-type vehicle can then be removed from the site leaving the crash cushion in a fixed and favorable position relative to oncoming traffic.

Abstract: A method of protecting a roadway maintenance or construction site in which a crash cushion is mounted on the bed of a trailer or other unpowered wheeled vehicle. The crash cushion preferably comprises an intertial system of free standing sand-filled plastic containers or other suitable impact attenuator which in some cases is used with a backup structure. The unpowered vehicle is then connected to a powered towing vehicle and is towed to the maintenance or construction site. When the unpowered vehicle and its crash cushion are located in position to block oncoming traffic at the site, the unpowered vehicle is disconnected from the towing vehicle, to enable release of the towing vehicle for other purposes. The trailer bed of the unpowered vehicle is lowered relative to the vehicle wheels such that the bed rests on the roadway to thereby maintain the crash cushion in a fixed and favorable position relative to oncoming traffic.