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Technical Paper

An Analytical Method to Determine Vehicle Impact Speeds into Energy Absorbing Barrier End Treatments

1993-03-01
930657
Often an accident reconstructionist is asked to determine vehicle speeds where the vehicle impacts a roadside object. One class of roadside objects that can be involved in the impact are the end treatment energy absorbing systems of “Jersey” barriers, guard rails and bridges. One such end treatment system is known as the Guard Rail Energy Absorbing Terminal, G-R-E-A-T. The G-R-E-A-T system consists of 6 to 8 foam and metal honeycomb cartridges surrounded by a framework of triple-corrugated steel guardrail. The number of cartridges used determine the maximum impact speed the barrier will safely handle. This type of accident cannot be analyzed as a fixed barrier impact. A method has been developed to determine the impact speed of a vehicle that has hit a constant force ( constant deceleration ) energy absorbing end treatment system.
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