This paper describes the development of a new, easy to handle and economic crash cushion for rigid obstacles to reduce occupant loads and injury risk during the impact. Out of different concepts and experimental crash tests of energy absorbing barriers a mixture of concrete and granulated plastics ('Styroporbeton') has led to the best results regarding car deceleration and intrusions. The improvement of occupant safety of this system is documented on the one side by comparing car deformation and acceleration behavior of crash tests with and without a crash cushion in front of a rigid barrier and on the other side by comparing the impact velocities of crash tests with and without crash cushion, causing similar car deformation. For instance the car deformation of a 95 km/h crash against the crash cushion can be compared with a crash against a rigid barrier with an impact velocity of 52 kph.
Samenvatting