The Blade is cutting edge in truck mounted attenuator technology

The Blade truck-mounted attenuator from the Verdegro Group has met the highest safety level - Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware. The AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) is the new set of regulations for crash-testing of safety hardware devices that are destined for use on the US National Highway System. It updates and replaces the 20-year old NCHRP Report 350. Verdegro also said that the Blade TMA was also nominated for the 2017 ATSSA innovation award, which took place just after World Hig
April 18, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
The Blade stands up to MASH safety standards
The Blade truck-mounted attenuator from the Verdegro Group has met the highest safety level - Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware. The AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) is the new set of regulations for crash-testing of safety hardware devices that are destined for use on the US National Highway System. It updates and replaces the 20-year old NCHRP Report 350.


8617 Verdegro also said that the Blade TMA was also nominated for the 2017 ATSSA innovation award, which took place just after 3260 World Highways went to press. The 2466 American Traffic Safety Services Association represents the road safety, traffic safety and highway safety industry in the US through legislative advocacy, traffic control safety training and member partnerships.

The MASH safety changes are mainly necessitated by alterations made to vehicles over the past decade. Cars have greatly increased in size, so updated regulations are required to keep occupants safe. For example, the average bumper height on light trucks has risen considerably since 1993, so previous highway safety designs are inadequate.

The new MASH standard sets stricter criteria for truck-mounted attenuators. Bigger and heavier and newer test vehicles must be used during testing. Upper and lower truck weight has to be tested, ballast has to be fixed, and also the arrow board together with the TMA construction must have to be tested. Additionally, offset and offset angel tests are now required in MASH.

This patented BLADE TMA has been full-scale crash-tested according to MASH 2009/2016 at the 2347 Texas Transportation Institute facility. All the ride-down values were within the preferred values.

Verdegro, based in Munnikenheiweg, the Netherlands, said the BLADE TMA will be available for the US market from April.

Road Markings, Barriers & Workzone Protection

Related Content

  • Poor pedestrian safety in the US
    October 5, 2018
    The US road network features poor pedestrian safety, a problem the authorities are struggling to tackle. According to data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,977 pedestrians died on US roads in 2017. Of concern is that this is the second highest figure since 1990, with 2016 having seen the peak with a figure 2% higher. Worryingly, pedestrian deaths are some 46% higher than they were in 2009. Of note too is that road deaths increased by 3% for occupants of SUVs and by
    Read More
  • IPAF supports FEM position on use of cranes
    January 9, 2014
    IPAF supports the position paper issued by the Fédération Européenne de la Manutention (FEM) Product Group for Cranes and Lifting Equipment, which makes clear that tower cranes are designed and manufactured to lift loads, not people. The paper also highlights that cranes should not be used for entertainment purposes. Such rides will not be permitted at CONEXPO-CON/AGG.
    Read More
  • The MBT-1 from Mobile Barriers now protecting workers in the UK
    August 14, 2019
    Two giant US-made 21m-long mobile barriers are now keeping highway maintenance workers safe in England.
    Read More
  • Concern over glass bead quality grows
    March 1, 2012
    Further evidence is emerging of the potential risks of glass beads used for road markings supplied by Chinese firms.
    Read More

Highlighted Content