Recommended procedures for vehicle crash testing of highway appurtenances

This report which is a synthesis of existing information on barrier technology, test methods, and human tolerance, recommends procedures for conducting passenger vehicle crash tests of roadside appurtenances (longitudinal barriers such as bridges rails, guardrails, median barriers, transitions and terminals; crash cushions; and breakaway or yielding supports for signs and luminaires), and provides a commentary on these procedures. The procedures (devised to subject the appurtenances to severe conditions rather than to "typical" highway situations) which aim to promote uniform testing of such appurtenances, are directed to test only the safety or dynamic performance.