What is a Truck mounted attenuator - Verdegro education

We will start with what is a Truck Mounted Attenuator (TMA). A TMA truck is designed to save lives in your work zone. The Verdegro Attenuators are tested to (NCHRP350 TL-3 & MASH TL-3) that meet all work zone safety requirements, are intended to absorb the impact of a high (or low) speed crash, decrease damage made to the vehicle, and save workers’ lives.

The truck mounted attenuator (TMA) is a safety apparatus welded or bolted on the rear side of a work truck. The sizes of the TMA vary but most are at least 1.5 meters wide as the purpose is to reduce the impact of an automobile collision. The material from which the TMA is made of varies from aluminum to galvanized steel with the general logic of the stronger the material and construct is, overall contributes to producing a TMA strong enough to withstand crashes from vehicles at speeds recorded over 120KM/H.

Since the wide use of the TMA, roadwork companies have significantly prevented crash severities, reduced the number of fatalities and injuries of roadworkers and motorists. Generally, attenuators consist of collision bumper type of devices which are there for energy absorption. These devices are the first point of impact on the TMA mounted on the back of the truck when cushioning a crash from vehicles approaching from the rear. This type of collision bumper, aka the cushion unit provides the most resistance from damage. On more advanced TMAs like; BLADE-TMA the TMA comes equipped with a nuisance bar. This bar is designed to take a hit of up to 15 miles per hour.  Behind the nuisance bar, the plate  the nuisance bar is mounted on is the wafer board which reduces impact drastically before the cushion becomes necessary to absorb more energy.

The quick release portion between the attenuator and truck lifts up the energy absorption cushion for transportation. During impact, the cushion is relied on to dissipate the kinetic energy when the crash exceeds a force beyond the capabilities of the nuisance bar and the wafer board. The absorption is the main prevention mechanism to ensure that the deceleration does not exceed critical levels for the drivers and passengers.

Different models that currently are used around the world, include; NCHRP 350 TL-3 Verdegro TMA-US 100K, NCHRP350 TL-3 Verdegro TTMA 100K, NCHRP350 TL-2  Verdegro LTMA 70K and the MASH TL-3 BLADE-TMA

Truck Mounted Attenuators are now widespread and have saved billions of dollars in equipment damage, legal issues and most importantly the preservation of human safety

Synonyms of Truck Mounted Attenuator (TMA):

Attenuator Truck, Shadow vehicle, Impact vehicle, TMA truck, TMA, Impact Protection Vehicle, Traffic attenuator, Crash Cushion, Highway Attenuator, Impact TMA, MASH attenuator, Crash attenuator,