This report is an analysis of 127 accidents involving crash cushions in Kentucky. The primary data base was for the period 1980-82, with some additional data before and after this period. An attempt was made to document each accident with a police report, photographs, and a repair form. The largest number of accidents (63) involved a Hi-Dro cell cushion or cluster, followed by 33 accidents involving a G.R.E.A.T. crash cushion, 19 with a temporary G.R.E.A.T., 10 with sand barrels, and 2 with steel drums.
Average repair cost was lowest for the Hi-Dro cell cushion (392)andhighestfortheHi−Drocellcluster(2,839). Other repair costs were 1,886fortheG.R.E.A.T.system,887 for sand barrel installations, and $1,760 for steel drum installations.
For those accidents in which performance was noted, crash cushions performed properly 85 percent of the time. Instances of improper performance generally involved either a vehicle rebounding into or across the adjacent roadway or a vehicle overturning. All of the various types performed well.
Results from the cost-effectiveness analysis show that crash cushion installations produce a benefit-cost ratio in the range of 1.0 – 2.0
