What is the function of redirective impact attenuators?

Prepare for the ATSSA Traffic Control Supervisor Test. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, with hints and detailed explanations for each question. Ace your exam!

Redirective impact attenuators are specifically designed to manage the dynamics of a vehicle when it collides with them. Their primary function is to redirect the vehicle away from more severe hazards, such as oncoming traffic or obstacles, thereby minimizing the potential for serious injury or damage. By redirecting vehicles, these devices help to safely channel the vehicle back onto the road or into a safer trajectory.

This redirection characteristic is critical, particularly in areas where the risk of an accident is high, as it enhances safety for both the vehicle occupants and other road users. The design of redirective attenuators typically allows them to withstand impacts from vehicles of various sizes while still maintaining the goal of redirecting rather than stopping the vehicle completely or causing it to become lodged or uncontrollably deflected.

Other functions, such as absorbing crash impacts and controlling vehicle speeds upon impact, are secondary and not the primary role of redirective attenuators. The design focus is fundamentally on redirection to improve overall road safety.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy