en.Wedoany.com Reported - The UK Passive Safety Association held a CRASH demonstration event in Suffolk, showcasing the performance of safety products in real-world environments through actual vehicle collisions and live demonstrations. Andrew Pledge of the association stated that laboratory testing cannot cover all possible scenarios, and the event has evolved from focusing on passive safety to demonstrating a broader "safe system" approach to road safety.
The event brought together organizations representing the five pillars of the safe system, covering safer roads, roadsides, vehicles, speeds, and post-crash response, allowing designers, engineers, emergency services, and road operators to learn from each other. One of the key demonstrations of the day used a heavier vehicle and a steeper collision angle than standard tests, challenging conventional assumptions about roadside protection systems.
Pledge noted that modern fleets are significantly different from those 20 or 25 years ago, with vehicles being heavier, and real-world collision scenarios potentially vastly different. Exhibitors showcased a variety of products aimed at reducing the consequences of collisions or enhancing road construction safety.
Mallatite, together with Scandinavian manufacturer Jerol, demonstrated composite passive safety sign posts that can either break cleanly or absorb energy depending on the roadside environment; Multipatcher showcased the modular BAAVA barrier system, designed to be assembled by a single operator and quickly repositioned. AS Safety & Technology displayed the inflatable "InflataShield" intrusion deterrent device, derived from motorsport safety barriers, with recent crash tests showing the system remained intact and did not damage the test vehicle after impacts at 30 mph and 57 mph.
Westcotec highlighted the complementarity of passive safety installation systems with intelligent roadside equipment, while also showcasing solar-powered warning signs that can be remotely connected; Hedro reaffirmed the continued applicability of passive safety posts, noting that despite being on the market for over two decades, awareness still needs to be raised. Innovative Road Safety Solutions presented its pole-mounted CoverME range, allowing temporary traffic signals and signs to be covered without the need for working at height, and displayed recycled plastic road signs incorporating bee habitats.
The CRASH event brought together manufacturers, local authorities, National Highways, emergency services, road safety organizations, and engineers for a full day of demonstrations and networking, with a focus on improving the safety of road users and workers.
