ENERGY ABSORBING CRASH CUSHION

摘要

An energy absorbing system with one or more energy absorbing assemblies is provided to reduce or eliminate the severity of a collision between a moving motor vehicle and a roadway hazard. The energy absorbing system may be modified for use at a fixed roadside hazard such as the end of a concrete barrier or attached to the rear portion of a highway service vehicle. The energy absorbing system preferably includes an impact attenuator having at least one cutter and at least one energy absorbing element which are slidably disposed relative to each other. An impact plate is also attached to one end of the impact attenuator such that a collision by the motor vehicle with the impact plate will result in the cutter shearing the energy absorbing element to dissipate energy from the impact of the motor vehicle. The configuration and number of energy absorbing assemblies and the configuration and number of each energy absorbing element may be varied depending upon the intended application for the resulting energy absorbing system.