ATSSA TCS Module 5 Positive
Protection Devices | Questions
and Correct Answers | Latest
Update 2024/2025 | Graded A+
Positive Protection Devices - Answer -Contains and redirects vehicles in
accordance with National Cooperative Highway Research Program
NCHRP Report 350 preventing their intrusion into the work space.
NCHRP Report 350 testing requirements - Answer -FHWA requires that
all TCD must meet crashworthy performance criteria contained in
NCHRP Report 350 now being replaced by MASH
MASH = Manual Assessing Safety Hardware is replacing - Answer -FHWA
Report 350. MASH is not mentioned in MUTCD
How do you know they are Crashworthy devices? - Answer -Met test
evaluation of Report 350/MASH and/or Received an "Eligibility letter"
from FHWA
MASH category 4 Devices: - Answer -Trailer mounted devices heavier
than 100 pounds: 1Area lighting units 2Arrow boards 3Temporary
signals 4Radar speed display trailers. Should be moved outside clear
zone or be shielded by a barrier or crash cushion WHEN NOT IN USE.
Should be delineated WHEN IN USE.
Temporary Traffic Barriers are - Answer -Portable devices to prevent
penetration by vehicles while minimizing injuries to vehicle occupants.
Provide positive protection to: 1workers,2bicyclists,
3pedestrians,4Hazards/drop-offs
Types of Temporary Traffic Barriers - Answer -1 Concrete, 2 Water-filled
3 Steel, 4 Anchored, 5 Mobil, 6 Movable
Use of Temporary Traffic Barriers - Answer -Should be crashworthy,
installed and used based on an engineering study design in accordance
with AASHTO.
MAIN function of Traffic Barriers - Answer -PROTECTION, secondarily,
CHANNELIZATION or delineation. Do not use if not needed for
protection.
Barricades are - Answer -channelizing devices Types 1,2,3.
A longitudinal channelizing device (LCD) - Answer -1 Do not contain or
redirect a vehicle 2 Do not prevent vehicle intrusions 3 NOT A POSITIVE
PROTECTION DEVICE but provide continuous detectable edging.
Portable Concrete Barriers PCB - Answer -Most common, self-standing,
F-shape, Top 9", not 6" as Jersey Shape, Deflection= 2ft up to 45 mph
Advantages of PCB - Answer -Less expensive long-term projects, easy to
maintain, reusable, Low deflection.
Disadvantages of PCB - Answer -Heavy equipment needed for
installation and removal, Not suited for short-term projects or moving
operations.
Water-filled Barriers - Answer -Easier to handle, various types available,
Not a protective device.
Anchored Barriers - Answer -Various types like Type K rail, Used for
bridges where there is no room for deflection.
How do you secure portable concrete barriers to the traveled way? -
Answer -Bolted, Staked, Free standing, Backfilled, the pins and bolts
shouldn't protrude beyond the face of the barrier.
Movable Barriers - Answer -Repositioned laterally using a transfer
vehicle that travels along the barrier. Enable short-term closures to be
installed and removed on long-term projects.
Mobile Barriers - Answer -Minimizes exposure for workers and
motorists. Some short-term, reduces set-up time, minimizes foot print
by placing tools and materials on one vehicle, reduce rubbernecking
Steel Barriers - Answer -May be used temporary or permanent
applications. Typically used on short-term work zones.
Temporary Traffic Barrier as Channelizing Devices - Answer -Don't use
for merging taper except in low-speed urban areas. When used for
channelization, should be of light color for increased visibility, Should be
supplemented w/standard delineation, pavement markings or
channelizing devices.
Shielding the hazardous blunt end of Barriers - Answer -Flare until the
end is outside the clear zone, and/or impact attenuators. All upstream
leading ends shall be flared or protected w/crashworthy cushions.
Barrier Flare - Answer -Not parallel to the edge of traveled way, angled,
depends on speed, typically 17:1 to 20:1 for freeways - For every foot
moved laterally, you move 20 feet longitudinally
Typical Flare Rates - Answer -Speed 70 - 20:1, 60 - 18:1, 55 - 16:1, 50 -
14:1, 45 - 12:1, 40 - 10:1, 30 - 8:1
Clear Zone - Answer -Unobstructed flat area, sometimes impacted by
construction, extending outward from the edge of the travel lane.
Usually 30 ' or more for high-speed facilities. Allows driver to regain
control of vehicle.
Example of Clear Zone Widths for Work Zones - Answer -Speed 60+ =30
ft , 45-55 = 20 ft. , 40 =15 ft , 30-40 =14 ft
Stationary Crash Cushions - Answer -Impact attenuators = Slows down
the vehicle. Reduce force, intensity, effect. Crashworthy, designed for
specific application, must be inspected, repaired or replaced.
What can Stationary Crash Cushions be? - Answer -A. Stationary: 1
Redirective =decelerate vehicle and redirects you to traffic. 2 Non
redirective=only stops vehicle like Sand barrels. and B. Truck Mounted
Attenuator (TMA)
What are some uses of the Stationary Crash Cushions? - Answer -
Protect motorists from: +Blunt ends of barriers, +Fixed objects,
+Shadow vehicles, +Drop-offs, +Other hazards
Redirective Crash Cushions - Answer -For shielding approach ends of
temporary concrete walls, redirect vehicles that may impact them.
Non-redirective Crash Cushions - Answer -Sand-filled Barrels, Non re-
directive = Decelerates the vehicle to a stop. Barrels should overlap (in
width) the fixed object on the traffic side by a min. of 30 inches
Truck Mounted Attenuators (Scorpion) = TMA - Answer -Per instructor,
best safety enhancement. Energy-absorbing devices attached to the
rear of shadow trailers or trucks. For short-term stationary operations
and moving operations. Equipped w: arrow boards, rotating/strobe
lights, changeable message signs
Positioning of TMA - Answer -In advance of work area, not in buffer
space if possible. Typically=Parking break-set, Transmission in gear,
Allow for roll-ahead distance=Distance a TMA will displace when
impacted.
TMA Roll-ahead distance depends on: - Answer -Weight of TMA, Speed
of impact, Weight of impacting vehicle. Varies from 25' to 175'
depending on whether the operation is stationary or moving and the
factors above.