A Nissan Micra was crashed at 70kph into a 140mm diameter Jerol Fibre Composite Signpost (100:NE:2) provided by The Post & Column Company. The post was supporting a lighterweight Vehicle Actuated Sign provided by Westcotec Ltd. The assembly was also fitted with an energised circuit (armoured cabling in and out) and a system provided by TOFCO to demonstrate successful disconnection/interruption of the supply using this system. A NAL socket was employed for the post, to demonstrate the ease of removal of a sign post that is installed using a purpose built socket, compared to a traditional foundation. The demonstration confirmed that the practice of mounting lighterweight VMS/VAS instead of 3mm aluminium sign plate on passive supports does not appear to significantly increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

A Ford Escort was crashed at 70kph into a 15m breakaway ‘PoleSafe’ lighting column provided by TRANSPO Industries. This product is an example of the USA’s approach to roadside safety. It was observed that the shear bolt mechanism worked extremely well. No testing of this mechanism to EN 12767 has been carried out to date and this system is not currently available for use in the UK.

A Peugeot 306 was crashed at 35kph into a 15m HYDRO passively safe lighting column (100:NE:3), complete with post-top lantern, provided by Marwood Electrical. The assembly was also fitted with an energised circuit (armoured cabling in and out) and a SIS Solo (Pillar) system provided by NAL to demonstrate successful disconnection/interruption of the supply using this system. This demonstration was an example of how well NE products perform, even in low-speed impacts.

A Peugeot 205 was crashed at 70kph into two 114mm diameter traditional steel posts (spaced at 750mm centres) supporting a traditional aluminium sign plate, to demonstrate the safety problems associated with closely spaced sign posts. One of the posts was contained in a socket provided by IDS to demonstrate the ease of removal of a sign post that is installed using a purpose built socket compared to a traditional foundation. This was proven to be the case when, after impact, the damaged pole was easily removed from the socket. Significant damage was caused to the vehicle and intrusion into the passenger compartment was apparent. The collision destroyed the engine to such an extent that the gearbox casing fragmented, leaving the gears inside clearly visible. Use of closely spaced passively safe products such as the 3M frangible post system (which have been successfully tested 750mm apart to EN 12767) avoids the risk of injury in such circumstances.

A Honda Prelude was crashed at 100kph into a 10m Spectralyte lighting column complete with post-top lantern, provided by TMP. The assembly was fitted with an energised circuit (armoured cabling in and out) and a breakaway plug system provided by Poletech, to demonstrate successful disconnection/interruption of the supply using this system. The column was founded in a Poletech socket to demonstrate the ease of removal of a column that is installed using a purpose built socket, compared to a traditional foundation.

A Rover 75 was crashed at 110kph into a non-compliant transition between a steel crash barrier and a steel bridge parapet, to demonstrate the problems associated with non-compliant systems such as these that exist in their thousands on UK roads. Whilst the barrier system performed well on the initial impact, significant damage was caused to the car (the driver door and front wheel assembly were ripped off) when it reached the transition. Intrusion into the passenger cabin was also clearly evident. Injuries would undoubtedly have been sustained by the driver, who would have been subjected to severe deceleration forces upon impacting the transition piece.

A Citroen Xantia was crashed at 70kph into one of two 140mm diameter Jerol fibre composite signposts (spaced at 2m centres) provided by The Post & Column Company. The posts were supporting a 2.5m x 1.5m lighter-weight ASD/Alcan sign plate mounted at 1300mm above ground level to demonstrate that lighter-weight sign plates can be suitable for sign assemblies mounted at this typical height. NAL sockets were employed for the posts to demonstrate the ease of removal of a sign post that is installed using a purpose built socket, compared to a traditional foundation. At present it is recommended that 3mm thick aluminium sign plates mounted on passively safe supports should be mounted at a minimum of 1800mm. This demonstration confirmed that the use of lighter-weight sign plates at lower mounting heights is compatible with the use of passive supports.

A Nissan Primera was crashed at 110kph into the rear of a stationary Heavy Goods Vehicle. This demonstration identified the appalling consequences for vehicle occupants if vehicle mounted attenuators are not used on highways maintenance vehicles. The upper front section of the car was destroyed upon impact, leaving little chance of survival for the occupants. The vehicle caught fire almost immediately after the impact and was completely destroyed by the flames which rapidly engulfed it.