Trailer truck-mounted attenuator

A new trailer truck-mounted attenuator protection system was designed and successfully crash tested according to the safety performance criteria presented in NCHRP Report 350. The new trailer is designed to be attached to a tow vehicle using a conventional pintle hitch and wiring harness. This simple attachment will allow the new trailer to be attached directly to many work trucks, such as striping vehicles to eliminate the need for secondary shadow vehicles. The trailer is manufactured from heavy gage, galvanized steel to provide the first practical solution to protecting motorists during snow plowing, sanding and salting operations. Five full-scale crash tests were successfully conducted with the trailer attached to a tow vehicle that was blocked against forward movement and rotation to simulate an infinitely heavy vehicle.