Analysis of existing work-zone devices with MASH safety performance criteria - Part 1

This article addresses the safety of traffic control devices used in work zones, which can prove hazardous to occupants of errant vehicles. The Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH), published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), provides guidelines for crash testing and evaluation of roadside safety devices. In this study, the safety performance of eight crashworthy, portable sign support systems is evaluated to determine whether the systems would meet MASH safety guidelines. The study also seeks to develop guidelines for determining the association between certain design characteristics and increased risk for penetrating passenger vehicles' occupant compartment. For each of the eight systems, a description is offered of weather conditions, crash test sequence of events, system and component damage, vehicle damage and occupant risk.