ATSSA: Improving Driver Behavior with Infrastructure Safety Countermeasures

19 American Traffic Safety Services Association • www.atssa.com Figure 34. MoDOT cable barrier effectiveness (Image: John P. Miller, Missouri Department of Transportation) Figure 35. Newly installed crash cushion (Image: Trinity Highway Products) Figure 33. Note the skid marks of the vehicle that struck this guardrail. Crashes such as this are often unreported, especially if the vehicle operator can drive away. A dedicated, stable source of federal funding is important to ensure that these life-saving safety devices are repaired in a timely manner (Image: Karen Boodlal, KLS Engineering) Another safety countermeasure that can help reduce crash severity once a vehicle has left the roadway is an impact attenuator, or crash cushion. Crash cushions are protective systems that prevent errant vehicles from impacting objects or individuals (work-zone workers). These devices also reduce damage to structures, equipment, and vehicles by absorbing the colliding vehicle’s energy and smoothly decelerating the vehicle to a safe stop when it impacts the crash cushion. ■