Roadside Safety: Drivers Benefit from Institute Research on Impact Attenuators

The article in the Roadside Safety Section gives background information on the Southwest Research Institute and what they do. This article discusses the Crash Cushion Attenuating Terminal (CAT). It is an energy absorbing guardrail terminal that attaches to a conventional guardrail. This system cushions the crash and redirects the forward motion of the vehicle. Information about tests done on the CAT are also included. There is a section on the Truck-mounted attenuator also tested by the institute. The CAT and the MPS-350 are both manufactured by Syro, Inc. and meet NCHRP 350 criteria.