Skip to main content

A further crash test has been performed on SMA’s End Terminal

The latest crash test for the end terminal T4, made by SMA – Safety Modular Absorber - has been carried out to the EN 1317-7 standard. It was done in addition to the complete set of crash tests performed according to part 7 of the EN 1317. The test TT 6.3.110 had already been executed on the critical impact point selected by the CSI TestLab. SMA Road Safety said it shows “the excellence of the SMA end terminal to absorb the impacts coming from the opposite traffic direction”. The critical impact point is at
July 5, 2016 Read time: 3 mins
The latest crash test for the end terminal T4, made by SMA – Safety Modular Absorber - has been carried out to the EN 1317-7 standard

It was done in addition to the complete set of crash tests performed according to part 7 of the EN 1317. The test TT 6.3.110 had already been executed on the critical impact point selected by the CSI TestLab. SMA Road Safety said it shows “the excellence of the SMA end terminal to absorb the impacts coming from the opposite traffic direction”. The critical impact point is at the back-stop of the end terminal. However, it was considered essential to have another crash test to demonstrate that the snagging problem has been avoided, although the structure of the device remains firm.

A further crash test was performed at 110kph with an impact angle of 15° on the barrier N2W2 and 5m before the back-stop of the end terminal.

SMA is part of Industry AMS – Automation Manufacturing Services – which recently exhibited at Intertraffic in Amsterdam. Many of the company’s crash barrier products use a collapsible, energy-absorbing honeycomb. A variation of this is used in a new moveable barrier end for temporary concrete barriers used to separate live lanes from work zones. The portable version is mounted on a very heavy cast iron base enabling it to be positioned at the end of the temporary lane dividers without needing to be fixed to the ground. A more permanent version can be used at the end of Jersey barriers and the standard (non-portable) design has been approved to the American standard for stopping a 2.2 tonne pick-up.

Another related innovation is a pole-mounted camera system called Geronimo that sits at the back of the crash cushion and records 10 seconds of video in an endless loop. If the crash cushion is impacted, the recording then stops and the video clip is automatically sent back to the control centre along with an alert that an impact has occurred. The new City Crash Cushion is tested to 50km/h and sits on a 1m x 1m footprint. Where required, an aluminium cover containing attenuation can be specifed to help protect motorcyclists in the event of an impact upon the cushion.

Related Content

  • Formwork plays a leading role in global infrastructure projects
    June 13, 2012
    New and highly regarded existing formwork systems have been used in major recent transport-related construction projects across the globe. Guy Woodford looks at some of their applications The multi-million dollar Mississippi River Bridge project in the United State is creating a vital new gateway between Illinois and Missouri. Central to the project is the realignment and reconstruction of Interstate 70 and a new landmark bridge, featuring two pylons projecting vertically from the Mississippi river bed w
  • Bartco and SRL Traffic Systems develop integrated traffic lights
    April 7, 2017
    Variable message sign manufacturer Bartco UK says it is working with SRL Traffic Systems to create a portable variable message sign (VMS) to be integrated with temporary traffic lights SRL Traffic Systems approached Bartco UK to create the manufacturer’s smallest VMS, designed to show basic safety information during temporary traffic light installation and road works.
  • New equipment for materials testing
    January 13, 2014
    Leading formwork manufacturers have secured some impressive contracts in Africa, as the continent’s transport infrastructure continues to improve at a rapid pace. Meanwhile, other bridgework equipment companies are also seeing their products in demand in Africa, as well as North America and Australia. Guy Woodford reports
  • Italy's strategic tunnel link
    August 21, 2012
    The world's largest tunnelling machine is completing Italy's important road connection between Bologna and Florence - Adrian Greeman reports For just under a decade a huge programme of highway construction has been underway in the mountainous region between Bologna and Florence, realigning a section of the A1 highway nearly 70km long. The new section, through major tunnels and across high viaducts, will greatly increase capacity on Italy's most important highway.