Crash test highlights barrier safety

The event, organised by UK Roads, was held in association with 3158 MIRA (formerly Motor Industry Research Association); 2579 Mott MacDonald and 346 Traffex/Road Expo, also offered an exhibition of related products and services from MIRA; FSP (Frangible Safety Posts); 3A Composites; ASD Metal Services; JPCS; Tofco; FLI Structures (screwpile demonstrations); Highway Care; 3162 Gloucester Composites; Traffex; Road Expo; 3161 Brett Landscaping; NAL and SAPA.

In one demonstration, a Ford Fiesta was crashed sideways at 35km/hour into a traditional unforgiving steel lighting column, mounted in a retention socket supplied and installed by NAL. The column and the socket were unaffected, but according to police officers present the damage inflicted was likely to have resulted in serious head, arm and leg injuries for the driver.

The column was removed from the socket, which was then available to be re-used to support a replacement column.
In another demonstration, a Suzuki Swift was crashed at 100km/hour into two 140mm diameter passively safe composite posts (provided by Frangible Safety Posts/1604 FSP) simultaneously. This was to highlight that despite two of these products being struck at the same time they do not significantly reduce the speed of the vehicle, and therefore do not subject the occupants to unacceptable deceleration forces.

The posts were mounted in Orion sockets provided by Poletech and supported a lighter weight composite sign plate provided by 3159 3A Composites and 3054 ASD metal services.

“The FSP posts performed perfectly, yielding on impact. The Orion sockets were unaffected by the impact which were then available to be re-used for replacement posts,” said an observer.
Another Ford Fiesta was crashed sideways at 35km/hour into a passively safe 15m lighting column provided by SAPA and mounted in a retention socket supplied and installed by NAL.

“Despite the low speed and orientation of the impact, the product still performed perfectly, shearing away as it is designed to do, causing very little damage or intrusion to the side of the car, and significantly less than that caused by the traditional column in demonstration one. It is very unlikely that any serious injury would have been sustained by the driver as a result.”
In the fourth demonstration, a Vauxhall Vectra was crashed at 100km/hour into a TAU crash cushion provided by 1529 Highway Care. “The demonstration was a perfect example of how crash cushions can prevent serious injury and save lives. The car was brought to a controlled halt by the TAU cushion without it experiencing any rotational or overturning forces,” said the observer.