Impact Attenuators
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Gregory Highway Products has a strategic partnership with Hill & Smith to distribute impact attenuators, adding proven crash cushion technology that complements its guardrail panels, accessories, and broader roadside safety product portfolio.
An impact attenuator, also called a crash attenuator, is a highway safety device designed to absorb and dissipate vehicle collision energy to reduce crash severity and protect motorists, work crews and roadside structures.
Our MASH-compliant crash attenuator systems are engineered to absorb impact energy and reduce crash severity in high-risk highway locations.
How Do Crash Attenuators Work?
Crash attenuators work by absorbing energy during a vehicle crash. The attenuator’s components take the force of the hit and are crushed in sequence, decelerating the vehicle gradually to reduce the severity of impact.
Where Are Impact Attenuators Used?
Impact attenuators are often used alongside highway guardrail systems to create a continuous roadside safety solution. They’re commonly installed in front of fixed hazards, including:
- Highway gore points
- Exit ramps
- Bridge piers
- Construction zones
- Toll plazas
Types of Impact Attenuators
Selecting the appropriate impact attenuator depends on where it will be installed, how long it will be in place, and how it is expected to perform during and after a crash.
- Permanent vs. temporary systems: Permanent systems are designed for long-term installation near fixed hazards such as bridge piers. Temporary systems are suitable for construction zones and are often skid-mounted or truck mounted.
- Redirective vs. non-redirective: Redirective impact attenuators redirect the vehicle away from a hazard during a side approach, while non-redirective attenuators are primarily designed for head-on collisions.
Compliance & Safety Standards
Impact attenuators are designed and crash-tested to meet nationally recognized safety standards, including MASH compliance and AASHTO safety guidance.
Gregory Highway Impact Attenuator Solutions
Gregory Highway offers MASH-compliant impact attenuators designed for reliable, cost-effective performance.
Smart Cushion® Restorable Impact Attenuator
- Redirective, non-gating, bidirectional
- Fully assembled/skid mounted delivery
- Reset after impact in under 30 minutes
- Exceptional life-cycle cost/low-cost reset
- Optional HS2X Impact Notification Device available
- MASH Test Level 3 and Test Level 2
SmartPod® Cartridge-based Impact Attenuator
- Fully redirective, non-gating, bidirectional
- Fully assembled/skid mounted delivery
- Easily replace energy absorbing PODS
- MASH-16, Test Level 3
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a crash cushion and an impact attenuator?
Both a crash cushion and an impact attenuator are used to safely absorb kinetic energy during a crash. “Impact attenuator” is the term more likely to be used in specifications.
Are SMARTPod and SMART Cushion attenuators MASH compliant?
Yes. Gregory Highway impact attenuators are crash-tested to meet MASH criteria, including (depending on the system) Testing Level 2 and Testing Level 3. Performance criteria focuses on occupant risk, vehicle trajectory and structural adequacy.
Where are crash attenuators required?
According to guidance from AASHTO and state DOTs, crash attenuators are specified where fixed hazards cannot be removed or shielded by other safety devices.
PARTNER WITH GREGORY HIGHWAY
When you need complete solutions that are strong, long-lasting and easy to install, you need to partner with Gregory Highway. As the national leader in highway guardrails and roadside safety, you can rely on us for quick turnarounds, competitive pricing and responsive service. And we’re proud to say our steel guardrail and highway products are manufactured in the heart of the U.S. Contact us today to get started on your next highway safety project.