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

  • How safe is safe?
    February 7, 2024
    When it comes to vehicle restraint systems, just how safe it safe? Attendees to the 3rd International Conference on Road Safety, put on by the ERF - European Union Road Federation – found out, reports David Arminas.
    Read More
  • Road safety is an EU priority
    March 2, 2012
    The preparation of the new EU Road Safety Policy for the next decade will take place during Spain's presidency of the EU. Patrick Smith reports. An the past 10 years, half a million people have been killed on European Union roads, with road crashes costing an annual €160 billion or 2% the EU's GDP.
    Read More
  • The cost of crashes in the US
    May 25, 2023
    The financial cost of road crashes in the US places a heavy burden
    Read More
  • HEART of the matter from Trinity Highway Products
    December 13, 2018
    The HEART is a reusable, restorable, non-gating and re-directive crash cushion manufactured by Trinity Highway Products, based in Dallas in the US state of Texas. The HEART - Hybrid Energy-absorbing Reusable Terminal - uses high molecular weight/high density polyethylene (HMW/HDPE) side panels and a rounded frontal nose piece. These are connected to steel diaphragms mounted on tubular steel tracks. The company said that HEART’s HMW/HDPE panels and nose reduce life cycle costs and minimise maintenance. Anc
    Read More

Highlighted Content