A Complete Guide To Smart Crash Cushion Attenuators

In the next installment of our Crash Cushion 101 series, we thought we would take a closer look a smart crash cushions. Smart cushion attenuators are a relatively new introduction to the market, but they are helping to transform road safety. Designed to maximise the safety of road users and construction workers alike, these innovative crash cushions are capable of protecting roadway structures, other vehicles, and property by absorbing the kinetic energy from a crash.

What are the different types of crash barriers? The term attenuator is used for various products, but there are two primary types available for those looking to improve road safety:

Gating and Non-gating

The first types of crash barriers to consider are gating and non-gating. This is a style of attenuator that is designed to allow vehicles that collide with it to enter a clear zone where it can deaccelerate safely. A gating attenuator will fold away when a vehicle impacts with it, allowing it to pass through with ease; however, this does require a larger clear zone for the vehicle to slow down in. A non-gating crash barrier is one that does not fold but instead works to slow the vehicle down through resistance, ensuring that they require a smaller clear zone.

Re-directive and non-directive

The other major types of crash cushions are re-directive and non-directive. As the name suggests, a re-directive attenuator is one that deflects a colliding vehicle into a safe clear zone, away from workers or oncoming traffic. A non-directive crash barrier is one that instead absorbs the impact of an oncoming car, slowing it in place and preventing it from deflecting back out into traffic.

What makes a crash barrier smart?

While crash cushions have been around for many years, smart crash attenuators are helping to take road safety to new levels. How do they differ from normal crash barriers, though? We have taken a closer look:

Speed dependent energy management

One of the most significant benefits of smart crash cushions is that they are speed dependent, ensuring that stopping resistance varies depending on the impact. This ensures that lighter or slower moving vehicles will be able to have a longer slowdown distance and g-forces thanks to the hydraulic system inside. This ensures the vehicle will come to a gradual halt before the end of the barrier.

Thanks to the low angle profile of the barrier, it also prevents vehicles from rebounding back into traffic and causing further disruption and accidents.

Robust

Smart crash cushions also have incredibly robust side panels, capable of withstanding high-speed impact without becoming damaged. This ensures that the minimal damage that does occur can be quickly repaired, and the barrier reset, minimising the risk exposure of workers on the road, reducing disruption and lowering the costs of replacement parts.

A reverse-tapered design on each side panel also eliminates stress and collapse. This ensures that should the barrier have a head-on impact; then the system will collapse without serious panel damage that would require major repair.

Quick installation

Smart crash cushions are also incredibly quick to install. Each attenuator is designed with a unique skid frame which not only allows for easy transportation to each site but also rapid installation and anchoring.

What are the benefits of a smart crash cushion?

There are many benefits that come from installing a smart crash cushion, including:

Durable

One of the biggest benefits that come from a smart crash attenuator is the fact that they are highly durable. The hydraulic porting offers fantastic resistance that will slow the vehicle down before it reaches the end of the usable length. However, unlike traditional barriers, which would then face extensive repairs to be functional again, a smart crash cushion can be reset in under an hour.

After a head-on impact, these attenuators will typically just need the shear bolts replaced on the front impact reset. Side impacts rarely require repairs, reducing the need for expensive labour and part replacements.

Fully assembled

Another major benefit of using a smart crash cushion is that they come fully assembled and ready for a pick-and-set installation. Our highly experienced team are able to install these crash barriers in under 90 minutes, ensuring your site is protected far quicker compared to using other styles of crash barrier.

Self-supporting

Alongside being very quick to install, another significant benefit of using a smart crash cushion is that they are entirely self-supporting. This means that they will not require the need for any additional support sections and will also not be subject to any temporary or permanent construction applications.

This ability ensures that they can be installed in almost any location, ensuring that they are perfect for any project that you might have.

Prevent further accidents

Smart crash cushions have also been designed to prevent vehicles from rebounding back into oncoming traffic. This is a major risk in any road accident, as a crashed vehicle collides with a barrier before skidding back out into other road users and causing a major incident.

By absorbing the impact and preventing the vehicle from re-entering traffic, this helps to maximise safety and keep your workers and other road users safe.

Outstanding safety

Studies have shown that smart cushion attenuators also offer a fantastic safety rating. When put through the NCHRP 350 tests, the barriers achieved outstanding results in both ride down g-force and low angle of exit.

Are you looking for smart crash cushions?

If you are in need of crash barriers, then adding smart cushion attenuators to your project can transform the safety of your workers and other road users. Here at RPM Hire, our highly experienced team is on hand to help take you through a wide array of crash barrier options to ensure that you can find the perfect solutions for your next project.

We can quickly install our proven smart crash cushions in under 90 minutes, minimising the risk of traffic exposure for your workers. Each of our road safety barriers is perfect for use in high frequency impact zones, while their low maintenance and minimal requirements for replacement help to save you time and money.

Since our launch in 2011, we have been committed to providing the very best equipment for our customers, and we pride ourselves on offering outstanding customer service that you can rely on. We strive to go above and beyond your expectations, and our comprehensive array of products is suitable for any project.

We operate across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania, so no matter whether you are running a large-scale event, need to reroute traffic or are conducting major roadworks, RPM Hire has the products for you. Want to find out more? Get in touch with us today via phone at 1300 479 540, or get in touch via our contact form here.