GUARDRAIL SAFETY SYSTEM FOR DISSIPATING ENERGY TO DECELERATE THE IMPACTING VEHICLE

摘要

Provided herein is a guardrail safety system comprising a guardrail beam comprising a W-beam having a downstream end and an upstream end. A terminal portion of the W-beam slopes from a first vertical height appropriate for redirecting an errant vehicle to a second vertical height proximate the surface of the ground. An upstream end of the W-beam comprises a vertically flattened W-beam that is coupled to a terminal support post. A plurality of support posts coupled to the guardrail beam are installed adjacent a roadway. An end treatment is releasably coupled to at least one post. The upstream end of the W-beam is vertically flattened in an assembled state and prior to impact. The end treatment is advanced longitudinally along the guardrail in a downstream direction upon impact. The advancement of the end treatment dissipates energy to decelerate the impacting vehicle and flattens the guardrail vertically.