Citation

Hitz R, Molacek K, Stolle C, Polivka K, Faller R, Rohde J, Sicking D, Reid J. Accid. Reconstr. J. 2009; 19(6): 27-34.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Accident Reconstruction Journal)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article presents part two of a research project undertaken to redesign the New York state low-tension, three-cable guardrail terminal to be used as a tangent system with a reduced size of the anchor block. The cable terminal system was evaluated according to the Test Level 3 (TL-3) safety performance criteria set forth in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report Number 350, “Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Roadside Features.” After the cable terminal system was designed, the researchers conducted four full-scale crash tests on the system. The first test used a ¾ ton pickup truck weighing approximately 2,000 kilograms (4,400 pounds), with a target impact speed of 100.0 km/hour (62.1 mph) and an angle of 20 degrees. The second test was performed using a small car (820 kilograms or 1,808 pounds) with a target impact speed of 100.0 km/h (62.1 mph) and an angle of 0 degrees. The authors note that, following the unsuccessful performance in test 2, modifications were made to the system in an attempt to improve impact performance. In this article, they report on the third and fourth tests, which were conducted at 98.8 km/h (61.4 mph) and an angle of 0.1 degrees. For each test, the authors provide a description of what happened, barrier damage, vehicle damage, occupant risk values, and a discussion of the findings. The first part of the study is reported on in the October 2009 issue of Accident Reconstruction Journal. Readers are referred to the full report at the National Technical Information Service (www.ntis.gov).