Page
6
of
68
Operation and maintenance manual Verdegro Blade
2
Introduction:
Blade is a Truck Mounted Attenuator (TMA). This is an energy absorbing device attached
to the rear of a truck, also known as an attenuator Truck or Lorry mounted crash cushion
or utility vehicle.
A TMA is designed to provide a controlled stop of a vehicle impacting the rear of the truck.
TMA
’
s have been used since the mid- 1970's to reduce the severity of impacts between
errant motorists and slow moving or stopped shadow vehicles used to protect highway
maintenance workers.
The Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) specifically addresses the performance
requirements of TMA
’
s. The recommended tests to evaluate TMA crash performance are
defined for different Test Levels. BLADE is tested according the highest test level TL-3 and
is conducted at 100 kph (62 mph).
The BLADE TMA is also full scale crash tested according the, for the United Kingdom
required, 110 kph test TD49/07.
This report presents the manual for the Verdegro BLADE (TMA), at the more demanding
MASH TL-3 test conditions.
US Patent Pending No 15/043,232.
The Verdegro Blade TMA has multiple available accessories that are full scale crash tested
according the MASH, knowing:
✓
Arrow board bracket
✓
Truck bracket
This arrow board bracket can be equipped with a Verdegro approved arrow board or VMS
sign.
