According to the analysis, there are approximately 1.25 million people die in a road traffic crash. The government has applied strong metal bars, commonly called guardrails to prevent vehicles from driving off the road. They usually composed of steel plates that cannot guarantee a driver’s safety. Similarly, one of the Korean company ETI (Evolution in Traffic Innovation) has developed a product to reduce the harsh impacts of guardrails. They have developed Rolling guardrail Barrier System.
Working of this rolling guardrail:
This rolling guardrails system do more than absorb impact energy. It converts that impact energy into rotational energy. Thus, it drives the vehicle forward instead of potentially breaking through an immovable barrier.
It also has a rotating barrel that comes with an attached reflective sheeting for good visibility. The barrel is made from EVA with excellent shock absorption power. Engineers used EVA because it has better flexibility and elasticity compared to other polyethylene resins. It is almost similar to rubber but it is lighter than rubber and more elastic than urethane. Additionally, it can not easily get damaged. The rotating barrel consists of three-dimensional D- shaped buffering frames and dense props supporting the frames.
When any vehicle hits the rolling guardrail, the rotating barrel converts shock from the vehicle to rotational energy. The frames adjust tires size-wise (large and small vehicles) to prevent the steering system from a functional loss. The frame then guides them in the moving direction to prevent second rear-end collisions. The three-dimensional structure of the D-shaped frame and buffering bracket distribute and absorb the second shock.
The company manufactures different rolling barriers for roadsides, median strips, tunnels along open guardrails for landscapes. They also manufacture traffic cones.
After testing some crash trails, engineers got results as following:
READ: Olli, a 3D Printed, Self-driving Minibus
Engineer performed crash trails testing on three different vehicles. Those are- a small car, a large car, and a bus. After testing on a small car, it was observed that the ETI product sends an accident vehicle back to the normal moving track. It even protects occupants and second vehicle accidents and the side collision rate was 20-degree.
During testing on a large car, it was observed that the ETI product changes the collision method to rotational friction to make collision continue for a long time. Thus it minimizes momentary shock. The side collision rate was only 15-degrees.
Along with Bus, it was observed that the ETI product changes the collision method to rotational friction to make collision continue for a long time and minimize momentary shock. The side collision rate was 20-degree.