A Crash Testing Evaluation to Prevent Injuries and Fatalities by Mitigating Vehicle Windscreen Spearing Risk From Road Signs

Abstract

Fatal incidents have occurred in Queensland and New South Wales involving sight boards spearing through vehicle windscreens. These crashes occurred at rural T-intersections where the impacting vehicle was travelling at high speed on the continuing carriageway. An innovative research program was undertaken to test various end treatments with the aim of preventing penetration of the sign into the occupant space. The research outcome sought was a low cost end treatment that could be applied to both new sign designs and existing signs. The testing program involved ten crashes at 100km/h with both four wheel drive vehicles and light passenger vehicles. The research showed that windscreen penetration could be prevented by utilising cost effective treatments.