Investigation and Development of a MASH Test Level 6, Cost-Effective, Barrier System for Containing Heavy Tractor Tank-Trailer Vehicles and Mitigating Catastrophic Crash Event - Phase IV

For this study, a new, cost-effective, Test Level 6 vehicle containment system will be developed to prevent and/or mitigate the consequences of errant heavy tanker-truck vehicles striking opposing traffic on heavily-congested urban freeways and interstates as well as crashes into high-risk facilities or highly-populated areas, such as schools, malls, sports venues, concert arenas, military bases, international airports, or critical government buildings.

The new optimized barrier system will provide adequate structural strength, investigate reduced heights, consider visual appeal for communities, implement height transitions for barrier ends, incorporate options for expansion/contraction joints, and remain safe for errant motorists operating light to heavy passenger vehicles.

At the end of the multi-phase project, a new, cost-effective, structurally adequate, reduced-height, vehicle containment system will be developed that is safe for motorists, capable of containing errant vehicle impacts with heavy tanker-truck vehicles, and prevents and/or mitigates the consequences of catastrophic crashes into high-risk facilities or highly-populated areas. This will allow departments of transportation a more cost-effective TL-6 barrier option to install where catastrophic motor vehicle crashes may otherwise occur. The new TL-6 barrier may be more widely deployed in critical areas to prevent catastrophic accidents which would affect the traveling public, infrastructure, and the region’s economy.

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