A system for managing wheel kinematics during a small overlap collision event includes a deflector apparatus. The deflector is configured to direct a wheel away from an occupant compartment of a vehicle. The deflector includes a first section arranged at an inside wall of a wheel well facing a wheel, near the base of a hinge-pillar. The first section includes a hollow structure configured to absorb energy from the collision event by plastically deforming. The deflector also includes a second section arranged at an angle to the wheel and configured to deflect the wheel laterally outwards from the vehicle away from an occupant compartment during the small overlap collision event. The deflector may be formed of extruded aluminum. The system may include an absorber arranged behind the first section and configured to further absorb energy from the collision event by plastically deforming.

A crash attenuator includes a frame having a first frame member and a second frame member rigidly connected with a hinge assembly in a pre-impact configuration. The first and second frames are hingedly connected with the hinge assembly in an impact configuration. The hinge assembly includes a release plate fixedly connected to the first frame member, wherein the release plate comprises a fastener opening and a slot extending between the fastener opening and an edge of the release plate, and a fastener extending through the fastener opening and connecting the release plate to the second frame member when the first and second frames are in the pre-impact configuration. A hinge assembly, and method of using the crash attenuator, are also provided.

An impact tracking system includes a sensor module that mounts to a fixed crash attenuator, sign, guardrail, or other roadway devices installed along a roadway. When the crash attenuator or other asset is impacted by an errant vehicle, the impact tracker, comprising a sensor system, senses and captures the impact data and sends an alert message to a remote receiver. The receiver may comprise known data receiving means, such as computers or phone systems, which may receive emails, text messages, photos, and the like in real or near real time. Received data may be analyzed, stored, and/or re-transmitted to additional receivers, which may include road authorities, such as transportation departments responsible for inspecting and repairing the impact attenuators.

Significant safety advantages are recognized for vehicle-mounted or attached crash attenuators, particularly in the form of structural improvements in the nature of a catch shelf which helps to prevent underride of an impacting vehicle, meaning that the impacting vehicle is less likely to release drop under the attenuator. When an impacting vehicle slides under the crash attenuator, there is an inability to take full advantage of the ride-down afforded by elements of the attenuator as they are crushed by the impact, thus potentially increasing damage to the impacting vehicle and injuries to its occupants.

Systems and methods are provided for dampening impact to a vehicle. The system may include a vehicle frame component; a plurality of adjustable exterior vehicle body components coupled to the frame component, wherein the vehicle body components are on different sides of a vehicle and are configurable to dampen an external force exerted on the vehicle; a plurality of actuator components configured to adjust physical configurations of the vehicle body components relative to the frame component; a component configured to collect data representing an external environment of the vehicle; and one or more processors configured to detect, by processing the data, an external driving condition, wherein the external driving condition is an impending collision between the vehicle and one or more objects external to the vehicle, and when the external driving condition is detected, cause the actuator components to correspondingly adjust the physical configurations of the vehicle body components.

A system and method are provided for dampening impact to a vehicle. The system may include an adjustable exterior vehicle component configured to dampen an external force exerted on the vehicle, a vehicle frame component configured to couple to the adjustable exterior vehicle component, an actuator component configured to adjust a physical configuration of the adjustable exterior vehicle component, an external communication component configured to collect driving environment data representing an external environment of the vehicle, and one or more processors configured to receive driving environment data and detect, by processing the driving environment data, an external driving condition. When the one or more processors detect the external driving condition, the one or more processors may cause the actuator component to adjust the adjustable exterior vehicle component to a specific physical configuration.

Systems and methods are provided for dampening impact to a vehicle. The system may include a vehicle frame component; a plurality of adjustable exterior vehicle body components coupled to the frame component, wherein the vehicle body components are on different sides of a vehicle and are configurable to dampen an external force exerted on the vehicle; a plurality of actuator components configured to adjust physical configurations of the vehicle body components relative to the frame component; a component configured to collect data representing an external environment of the vehicle; and one or more processors configured to detect, by processing the data, an external driving condition, wherein the external driving condition is an impending collision between the vehicle and one or more objects external to the vehicle, and when the external driving condition is detected, cause the actuator components to correspondingly adjust the physical configurations of the vehicle body components.

A crash attenuation system having an improved, controlled axle release mechanism for a truck trailer mounted attenuator. The axle release mechanism has an axle release insert disposed within an outer bursting tube which is urged downstream by a mandrel resulting in controlled shearing of the fasteners passing through different size elongated slots in the insert and retaining the insert within the bursting tube. Differential shear forces cause the fasteners to shear at different times as the insert is urged downstream resulting in a controlled release of the breakaway axle assembly.

A crash attenuator includes a frame having a first frame member and a second frame member rigidly connected with a hinge assembly in a pre-impact configuration. The first and second frames are hingedly connected with the hinge assembly in an impact configuration. The hinge assembly includes a release plate fixedly connected to the first frame member, wherein the release plate comprises a fastener opening and a slot extending between the fastener opening and an edge of the release plate, and a fastener extending through the fastener opening and connecting the release plate to the second frame member when the first and second frames are in the pre-impact configuration. A hinge assembly, and method of using the crash attenuator, are also provided.

A towable crash-attenuating vehicle is shown having a frame; at least two axles coupled to the frame, each of the axles having wheels attached thereto; a T-shaped ballast coupled to the frame, and oriented such that the weight of the ballast is biased toward the front end of the frame; deflection shields coupled to the right and left sides of the frame, wherein the deflection shields cover the frame and a majority of the wheels on each side of the vehicle; a tow connection coupled to the front of the frame, pivotable from a deployed state to an undeployed state; an impact attenuator coupled to the rear of the frame; wherein the vehicle is provided with a brake system, and wherein said brake system may be locked and unlocked and wherein the vehicle is provided with an on-board mechanism for locking and unlocking the brake system.