Citation

Prodoehl RF, Dusel JP, Stoker JR. Transp. Res. Rec. 1976; 594: 36-38.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1976, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The following four conclusions are based on results from full-scale tests 311 and 312 of a Ford Pinto automobile impacting a type 31 lighting standard. The triangular steel slip base currently used by the California Department of Transportation on its types 30 and 31 lighting standards is an effective breakaway device when impacted by small automobiles. Even with the heavier pole, the base slips with a relatively low loss in vehicle momentum at both low and moderate vehicle impact velocities, thus offering minimal breakaway resistance at impact. Higher tensions (up to 88.1 kN (19,800 lb)) in the slip base clamping bolts that were almost twice those previously specified by California DOT did not adversely affect the slip characteritics of the base tested. When a small vehicle having a roof impacts a current type 31 lighting standard with a slip base, neither the initial car-pole impact nor the trajectory and final position of the lighting standard are expected to create serious hazards or injuries to either occupants of the impacting vehicle or passengers of vehicles in adjacent traffic lanes. Damages to the small vehicle in both impact tests were limited to the front end and were less than anticipated. Total costs of completely repairing the Pinto following impact test 311 were approximately $730.