The Pennsylvania State University
University of Maryland
University of Virginia
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
West Virginia University

PTI HOME

Portable Sign Crash Test (Full Text)

Authors: Daniel G. Linzell and Zoltan Rado

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Portable sign post structures currently in use by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, supporting signs less than 36 inches square at heights of 7 ft off the ground, are assembled using varying techniques and materials and do not meet crash testing standards established in NCHRP 350. This project was performed to review available crash-tested portable sign post structures and, based on this review, design and crash test a new model to meet the NCHRP 350 criteria and establish a standard PennDOT support design protocol. The objectives o f the project were to: (1) search available literature to establish the state of the art for portable sign post structures in the United States for further study; (2) perform numerical modeling of selected sign posts’ designs to present optimal designs for crash testing according to NCHRP 350 [1]; (3) develop a crash testing plan for sign posts recommended by PennDOT and have the plan approved by relevant PennDOT personnel; and (4) perform crash tests of selected sign post designs, report on the findings of the crash tests and develop standard drawings.