Abstract: An improved crash attenuator that uses a cable and shock arresting cylinder arrangement to control the rate at which a vehicle impacting the crash attenuator is decelerated to a safe stop is disclosed. The crash attenuator is comprised of a front section and a plurality of mobile sections with overlapping angular corrugated side panels. When the crash attenuator is impacted by a vehicle, the front section and mobile sections telescope down in response, and thus, are effectively longitudinally collapsed. For this purpose, the sections are slidably mounted on at least one guiderail that is attached to the ground. Positioned preferably between two guiderails is the cable and cylinder arrangement that exerts a force on the front section to resist the backward movement of the front section when struck by an impacting vehicle using a varying restraining force to control the rate at which an impacting vehicle is decelerated to safely stop the vehicle. The side panels can also be used in a guardrail configuration.

Abstract: A corrugated side panel for use with crash attenuators and guard rails is provided with a plurality of angular corrugations including a plurality of flat ridges and flat grooves connected together by flat slanted middle sections. A portion of the trailing edge of each ridge is bent in toward the succeeding ridge so that a vehicle reverse impacting the crash attenuator does not get snagged by the trailing edge of the panel, but is at least partially redirected toward the roadway. Support gussets are selectively provided to reinforce the side panel.

Abstract: An improved crash attenuator that uses a cable and shock arresting cylinder arrangement to control the rate at which a vehicle impacting the crash attenuator is decelerated to a safe stop is disclosed. The crash attenuator is comprised of a front section and a plurality of mobile sections with overlapping angular corrugated side panels. When the crash attenuator is impacted by a vehicle, the front section and mobile sections telescope down in response, and thus, are effectively longitudinally collapsed. For this purpose, the sections are slidably mounted on at least one guiderail that is attached to the ground. Positioned preferably between two guiderails is the cable and cylinder arrangement that exerts a force on the front section to resist the backward movement of the front section when struck by an impacting vehicle using a varying restraining force to control the rate at which an impacting vehicle is decelerated to safely stop the vehicle. The side panels can also be used in a guardrail configuration.