Category:612 Impact Attenuators

Protective vehicle with a truck-Mounted Attenuator and Flashing Arrow Panel

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The traffic control guidance of the EPG serves as MoDOT’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and should be used as the primary document when applying traffic control guidance to MoDOT’s roadways. Per federal regulations, MoDOT’s traffic control policies are required to be in substantial conformance with the MUTCD. There are occasions in the MUTCD where more than one traffic control device can be applied, but the EPG guidance typically selects the most applicable option for use on MoDOT roadways. The EPG also omits content from the MUTCD which doesn’t apply to Missouri.

Like the MUTCD, the traffic control guidance of the EPG is permissive guidance, meaning this guidance outlines what is permissible in regard to applying traffic control devices to MoDOT roadways. When specific traffic control guidance is not found in the EPG, contact the Highway Safety and Traffic Division office for assistance. The Division office can obtain assistance from FHWA, research facilities and other states for possible solutions that are MUTCD compliant. If these solutions have the possibility of being applicable to more than one site, consideration will be made to include the solution into the standard guidance found in the EPG as a standard.

This article provides information for the use of protective vehicles and three primary types of impact attenuators: truck-mounted attenuators, trailer-mounted attenuators and freestanding impact attenuators (sand barrels). Impact attenuators are designed to absorb energy of an impacting vehicle and reduce the force on a passenger to an acceptable level.

612.1 Protective Vehicles/TMAs (MUTCD "Shadow Vehicle")

Protective vehicles/TMAs are used to safeguard the workspace from errant vehicles. In some operations, these devices also serve as platforms for signs and other devices used to warn traffic of upcoming conditions or inform them of needed actions. For increased motorist, driver and worker safety, the protective vehicle may be equipped with a truck-mounted attenuator.

Proper positioning of the protective vehicle/TMA vehicle within the work zone is critical to its effectiveness. It is the operator’s responsibility to make sure that the protective vehicle/TMA is in the proper position to protect the crew, to provide ample roll-ahead distance, and to provide adequate warning to your co-workers and traveling public.

612.1.1 Truck- and Trailer-Mounted Attenuators

Truck/Trailor-mounted attenuators (TMAs) are energy-absorbing devices attached to the rear of the trucks and used as protective vehicles, thus protecting the motorist and the protective vehicle's driver upon impact.

The National Cooperative Highway Research Project 350 (NCHRP 350) and AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) set the crash criteria for TMAs. TMAs purchased by MoDOT meet these requirements.

Damaged TMAs are to be removed from service and either repaired or replaced.

NCHRP 350 and MASH crash-tests straight-on and offset collisions, not side impacts. TMAs are not designed for side impacts.

Articles on MoDOT's Maintenance Planning Guidelines for Impact Attenuators are available upon request.

612.1.2 MoDOT Protective Vehicle/TMA Marking and Lighting

Lighting. All lighting should be appropriately set, depending on the day or nighttime conditions.

The Light Bar and Emergency Alert lights on the Rear Advanced Warning Truck should be used for striping and sweeping operations and are optional on other mobile operations in accordance with typical applications. If used, the rear facing amber/white light bar is installed on top of the vehicle and the Emergency Alert lights are installed below the flashing arrow panel.

If an approaching vehicle is observed driving in the occupied moving work zone lane, the TMA driver should activate the Emergency Alert lights by pushing the switch for a short duration. It is not recommended to leave the lights on very long because continuous or long term use may reduce the effectiveness of the Emergency Alert lights.

Rear Face of TMA. The rear face of the attenuator device, when in the horizontal or operating position (protective mode), shall be marked with red and white retroreflective sheeting. The marking shall form a checkerboard pattern consisting of 12” by 12” red squares and 12” by 12” white squares spaced symmetrically starting from the top center.

Vehicle Size. On MoDOT’s maintenance operations where the normal posted speed limit is 60 mph or greater, the protective vehicle shall be a Heavy-Duty Single Axle Truck style or heavier, and meet the truck-mounted and trailer-mounted attenuator manufacturer’s recommendations.

Incident Response. For incident response operations, a vehicle with a truck/trailer-mounted attenuator is not required. If used, the host vehicle shall meet the truck/trailer-mounted attenuator manufacturer’s recommendations.

612.1.3 Protective Vehicle/TMA Operations

The term "protective vehicle" represents the use of the protective vehicle within operations. The term TMA represents a truck or trailer-mounted attenuator.

The flashing arrow panel and warning lights shall not be active when the Protective Vehicle/TMA istraveling from the home domicile to the staging area/desired lane/work location. Once the Protective Vehicle/TMA has reached the staging area/desired lane/work location, the appropriate operating mode shall be displayed and turned on. If the Protective Vehicle/TMA leaves the staging area/desired lane/work location and travels to another staging area/desired lane/work location, the flashing arrow panel and warning lights shall not be active.

612.1.3.1 TMA Typical Operations

612.1.3.1.1 Stationary Operation

During Stationary Operations, all protective vehicle/TMA vehicles shall be parked with the transmission in neutral and the parking brake engaged. The vehicle shall maintain a minimum of 150 feet of roll ahead distance to the next vehicle or work activity, be parallel to traffic, and have its wheels aligned with the striping and lane to maintain lane discipline and try to stay within the lane if struck. The operator shall not wait inside or near the protective vehicle/TMA vehicle. The employee should proceed to the Work Space to assist other employees and wait for instructions.

For additional guidance for protective vehicle/TMA use within work zones, refer to the typical applications in EPG 616.8 Typical Applications.

612.1.3.1.2 Short Duration/Mobile Operations

During short duration/mobile operations, protective vehicle/TMA operators are allowed to take preventive action when they perceive possible interaction with an errant vehicle. Preventive action includes moving the protective vehicle/TMA forward to lessen impact. If the operator takes preventive action, they should be observant of all crew workers and equipment to maintain a minimum of 150 feet roll-ahead distance and stay in the closed lane. In instances where you do not have the recommended 150 ft. of roll-ahead distance, DO NOT roll forward to lessen the impact and, if possible, engage the parking brake.

During short duration/mobile operations, if any employees exit their vehicles in the work activity, the protective vehicle/TMA#1 operator closest to work activity shall engage the parking brake when exiting their vehicle. The vehicle should maintain a minimum of150 feet roll ahead distance to the work activity, be parallel to traffic, and have its wheels aligned to stay within the lane if struck. If the operator of the protective vehicle/TMA closest to the work activity feels he/she is about to be struck by an oncoming vehicle, the operator may take preventive action if the roll-ahead distance is greater than 150 feet.

For protective vehicle/TMA#2during short duration/mobile operations, if the operator feels he/she is about to be struck by an oncoming vehicle, the operators may take preventive action to lessen the impact. However, the operator shall maintain aa minimum of150 feet of roll ahead distance to the next protective vehicle/TMA, be parallel to traffic, and have its wheels aligned to stay within the lane if struck.

For additional guidance for protective vehicle/TMA use within work zones, refer to the typical applications in EPG 616.8 Typical Applications.

612.1.4 MoDOT Equipment/Materials Stored in Bed of Protective Vehicle Guidelines

Loads or cargo, such as sign posts or tools, may be moved to and from work areas in the bed of the protective vehicle/TMA, but must be removed when protective vehicle/TMA is deployed for protection or has the possibility of deployment prior to getting to the work area. Truck beds may be secured to the truck frame to maximize stability during impact. Steel plates and/or containers, secured by approved methods, may be used for ballast or weight to keep the dump bed against the host vehicle frame and may remain in the vehicle while the protective vehicle/TMA is deployed. Loads or cargo are not allowed to be carried on trailer type TMAs.

This bead container is securely fastened to the protective vehicle. The container is bolted through the bed of the truck. The container door is securely latched down.

612.1.5 MoDOT Protective Vehicle/TMA Operator’s Training

Training is conducted in two stages:

Stage 1 – Classroom General Knowledge Training

Stage 2 – OJT (On the Job) Training and Skills Assessment.

612.2 Sand-Filled Impact Attenuators (Sand Barrels)

This system consists of a group of freestanding plastic barrels configured in increasing weights from the impact point toward the object. Such an array transfers the vehicle’s momentum to the increasing masses of sand in the barrels and provides a gradual deceleration. Each barrel is designed with a specific weight of sand to absorb the energy of an errant vehicle. The sand barrel array's "footprint" length and width and the number of barrels will change based upon the vehicle speed. For the correct setup and array of sand barrel impact attenuators, refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations. For more information about manufacturer’s recommendations, see End Terminals, Crash Cushions and Barrier Systems. When specified quantities are calculated and shown on the plans, no direct payment is made for the Type 1 object marker on the lead module. An estimate for replacement barrels needs to be included as a separate pay item, typically calculated as one for every ten barrels.

Sand barrels are most often used to shield fixed objects that cannot be removed or relocated. Sand barrels are recommended for temporary usage such as in work zones. A benefit/cost analysis is to be conducted before sand barrels are used in a permanent application.

An approved sand-filled impact attenuator may be installed on the exposed end of the barrier where the posted speed prior to construction on an existing facility or the anticipated posted speed of a temporary facility is greater than 35 mph. A crash cushion will be required on the upstream end for divided facilities, and on both ends for all two-way facilities. Crash cushions are discussed in EPG 617.1.3.3 Crash Cushion. Applicable pay items are included in the plans.

Crashworthy end terminals (Types A through E) should be used when sufficient width is not available for sand barrels. More information on proprietary crash cushions is available at EPG 617.1.3.3 Crash Cushion.

612.3 Construction Inspection Guidelines

Material (for Sec 612.2) Certifications are to be collected on both the sand and retroreflective sheeting used in or on the sand-filled impact attenuators.

Safety Requirements (for Sec 612.3) The inspector is to request a copy of the manufacturer’s certification that states the units comply with the crash test requirements of NCHRP 350 or MASH, Test Level 3, and have FHWA acceptance. This information is to be kept in the project files.

Truck-Mounted Attenuator (for Sec 612.4.1) TMAs are to be inspected to make sure they are structurally sound, the frames are not bent and that they appear to be in good working order. In some cases, the contractor may elect to add TMAs when TMAs are not required. Elective TMAs need to be NCHRP 350 or MASH, Test Level 3, compliant so the certification still needs to be collected. Typically, TMAs are only required and paid for under conditions where the contractor is operating without a lane drop set up (cones, channelizers, etc.). TMAs that the contractor voluntarily adds to an operation are typically not paid for.

Sand-Filled Impact Attenuator (for Sec 612.4.2) The inspector is to request a copy of the manufacturer’s installation instructions for whatever particular brand of sand-filled impact attenuator the contractor is using. When inspecting the sand-filled impact attenuator arrays, make sure that the array is set up as shown in the traffic control plans and filled in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. All lids are to be on and secured. MoDOT requires rock salt intermixed with the sand so that any water that gets into the barrels will not freeze and create a safety hazard. When checking the contents of the barrels, rock salt should be visible in the sand mix. During periods of extended cold weather, the sand should be checked periodically to make sure it hasn’t frozen because the salt content has been exhausted. If this condition is found, the contractor will need to add more salt or replace the sand/salt mixture.