00600565

Component

http://onlinepubs.trb.org...trr/1990/1258/1258-002.pdf

https://scholar.google.co...rgan&publication_year=1990

Small sign and small-sign support systems account for a substantial investment by federal, state and local agencies. For the past 20 or more years these systems have been tested for crashworthiness. Many small-sign systems had been tested and approved on the basis of previous specifications. For the most part, these tests were conducted with different vehicles and sometimes at different impact speeds than those required by current specifications. Retesting of current systems will undoubtedly be required as new specifications are released. A rationale that can be used to predict impact performance for sign installations that have been tested previously with a different size and class of vehicles is presented. In spite of the variability in test parameters, it appears that an energy formulation will provide estimates, not only for the current standard, but also for any future vehicle weights or impact speeds. Most sign systems, breakaway or not, appear to follow a linear relationship between kinetic energy and impact velocity. Recent tests, for the most part, support this theory. The one notable exception to the linear fit is the triangular slip base. This system, because of its unique failure mechanism, is more appropriately modeled by a cubic equation of best fit. The estimated changes in velocity could be useful for recertification of existing sign systems as well as for extrapolation between single- and multiple-post systems. If additional tests are required, the estimated changes in velocity will indicate which tests are critical, thereby allowing for the possibility of fewer certification tests.

This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1258, Roadside Safety 1990. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved

01410802

p. 13-22

1990

Transportation Research Record

0309050073

Figures (12) ; References (12) ; Tables (2)

Certification; Crashworthiness; Forecasting; Impact; Kinetic energy; Performance; Sign supports; Signs; Specifications; Speed; Vehicle weight

Impact speed

Design; Education and Training; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Oct 31 1990 12:00AM

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• WYOMING TUBE-TYPE BRIDGE RAIL AND BOX-BEAM GUARDRAIL TRANSITION