In a major step forward in Australian road safety, the high performance SMART CUSHION speed-dependent crash attenuator has been approved for use in Australia.
The first official acceptance, for use on the New South Wales classified road network, was issued at the start of July (2014) by NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS). The acceptance includes both the SCI100GM SMART CUSHION (tested containment of 2,000kg at 100km/h) and SCI70GM SMART CUSHION (tested containment of 2,000kg at 70km/h) variants.
The NSW RMS acceptance followed an in-depth assessment of the SMART CUSHION’s design and performance by the Austroads Safety Barrier Assessment Panel, which determined the system was suitable for use on the classified road network.
Paul Hansen, Managing Director of road safety systems and engineering specialists, and SMART CUSHION’s exclusive Australian distributor, LB Australia Pty Ltd, commented:
“It’s a remarkable system that has proven its life-saving performance in thousands of vehicular impacts at locations across the USA and has set a new benchmark for crash attenuator performance during and after an impact,” he said.
As the world’s only speed-dependent crash attenuator, SMART CUSHION’s design is unlike any other crash attenuator on the market. It is the only barrier design that absorbs all the impact energy without deforming elastomeric materials, damaging the attenuator or rebounding the vehicle.
Recognised by road authorities and emergency services alike, the SMART CUSHION speed-dependent crash attenuator has been directly credited with significantly reducing the seriousness of injuries to vehicle occupants during an impact and also with delivering a significant reduction in repair costs and repair times following an impact.
Its performance in the field has seen SMART CUSHION become the impact attenuator of choice for an ever-increasing number of road authorities throughout America and beyond. Several US States have even applied for and been granted the right to sole source SMART CUSHION for all Federally-funded projects.
Proven Performance – Smart Design
The key to SMART CUSHION’s performance lies within its unique design, which incorporates methodologies to dissipate energy by mechanical and by hydraulic means.
Paul Hansen explained: “The impacting vehicle’s momentum is safely reduced by three interacting processes simultaneously dissipating energy. It’s an innovative product which is well founded on good engineering design and is considered to be the leader in what may be a new generation of smart attenuators.”
There are two SMART CUSHION models depending on the road speed classification and the traffic mix. The most common model is the NCHRP350 TL3 tested model that is widely used across the USA. This model was tested at 100kph with a two tonne pick-up truck.
The other model is the NCHRP350 TL2 model tested at 80kph and commonly used in work zones and, where needed, on secondary lower speed roads. Both models are fully tested and were approved by the Federal Highways Agency for use some 10 years ago.
“Unlike the old style attenuators, the SMART CUSHION attenuator does not reach maximum stopping resistance unless a vehicle is travelling at the maximum design speed.
“The hydraulic porting in the cylinder ensures that in the case of an impact into the attenuator that is equal to or less than the equivalent force of a NCHRP350 TL3 or TL2 impact, the vehicle will stop before it reaches the end of the cushion’s usable length,” Mr Hansen said.
Specifically developed to maximize safety and reusability, SMART CUSHION’s fully re-directive, non-gating, bi-directional design delivers outstanding performance and durability before, during and after an impact.
The unit’s side panels are fabricated from 10-guage (3.4mm), 60ksi (414MPa) minimum yield steel with a G90 galvanized coating for maximum service life, even under the harshest operating conditions.
The panels’ outer profile delivers a significant increase in strength and, the fact that it also allows for the edges to be bevelled, helps to reduce the potential for sagging and damage during reverse direction impacts.
The unit’s side panels have also been designed to withstand side impacts and the tubular support frames are rarely damaged during an impact.
SMART CUSHION’s design has smart features. The front sled is roller guided and the rollers help to reduce friction and resistance at the point of impact, resulting in a smooth, straight mobilisation of the sled during an impact.
The wire rope, the sheaves and the hydraulic cylinder are located in the base between the tracks for the frames. These components are protected from damage and provide easy access when exposed for repair work. The hydraulic cylinder does not have a return spring, so there is no danger of vehicle rebound causing a secondary accident or incident.
For further information on the SMART CUSHION crash attenuator, go to www.smartcushion.com.au or contact LB Australia Pty Ltd, Ph: (02) 9631 8833 or Email: roadsafety@lbaustralia.com.au.