Crash Cushions FAQs
What is a crash cushion?
A crash cushion, or impact attenuator, is a safety device designed to absorb or dissipate a vehicle’s kinetic energy during a collision, reducing injury severity and preventing impact with fixed hazards.
Where are crash cushions used?
They are typically installed at the ends of safety barriers, in gore areas between diverging lanes, at bridge piers, or any location where a vehicle could strike a rigid object head-on.
How do crash cushions work?
Crash cushions deform or slide under impact, absorbing energy through controlled material crushing, friction, or hydraulic resistance, slowing the vehicle safely to a stop or redirecting it away from the hazard
What types of crash cushions are available?
There are three main types:
- Redirective: Redirect vehicles away from hazards.
- Non-redirective: Stop vehicles head-on only.
- Temporary/portable: Used in work zones or short-term projects.
What does non-gating mean?
A non-gating crash cushion or impact attenuator is fully redirective and designed to capture vehicles impacting the nose of the device at an angle.
How do I choose the right crash cushion?
The selection of a crash cushion should consider the type of hazard, the geometry of the hazard, and whether the cushion is for a permanent or temporary installation.
When is a transition required?
If the crash cushion is installed at the end of a concrete barrier and traffic travels in the reverse direction to the crash cushion, a transition preventing pocketing at the interface between the systems is required.
What happens following a vehicle impact?
If the crash cushion has suffered minor damage only, repairs may be carried out onsite. However, if the cushion has excessive damage it is replaced with a new unit, and repairs are carried out in the safety of a workshop.
What are the maintenance requirements for a crash cushion?
Periodic inspections are recommended to ensure that nuisance impacts have not gone undetected, that debris has not accumulated around the system, and the crash cushion is appropriately delineated.
Are Safe Direction crash cushions supplied pre-assembled?
Yes, Safe Direction crash cushions are supplied preassembled facilitating rapid installation.
Crash Cushion Products
The Universal TAU-M is fully re-directive and non-gating, providing safe vehicle containment and ride-down decelerations.
The TAU-XR is classified as a Low Maintenance Crash Cushion, providing rapid repair & reusability of components following design impacts.
The TAU-M Wide is designed to shield hazards up to 1.83 m (72”) wide typically encountered in gore areas.
