VORTEQ M Trailer Mounted Attenuator

Description: The VORTEQ® M is a mobile crash cushion attached to the rear of a support vehicle. It is a towable system designed to be used on shadow or advanced warning vehicles upstream of moving operations or as a barrier vehicle for stationary work zones. The VORTEQ® M is designed to be used on support vehicles with a minimum weight of 12,200 lbm and no maximum weight limit. The VORTEQ® M consists of a tongue assembly, shaper rail assembly, x-brace assembly, impact head assembly, axle assembly, lighting, optional spare tire, and optional arrow board. The energy absorbing and structural portions of the VORTEQ® M consist of the tongue assembly, x-brace, shaper rails and impact head. The spare tire, arrow board, and battery box were present during testing. The tongue, x-brace and impact head assemblies are structural steel bolted together with the shaper rail assembly. There is also a flanged lunette ring that bolts into location on the front of the system. The frame is galvanized coated and has factory installed decals, name-plate, and VIN tag. The VORTEQ® M is 294" long by 91" wide. The system is 34" high, including the nominal height above the ground of 14" at the rear of the system. A system without the optional arrow board weighs approximately 1690 lbs. The axle is a torsion axle with hubs fitted with 14” trailer wheels and tires. The axle fastens to the bottom of the left and right impact collars in four locations using 5/8-11 bolts and nuts. The wheels and tires are shrouded by fenders. There are four energy absorbing shaper rails (two per side) that are steel tube-intube design that deform during an impact event absorbing energy. Standard lighting consists of LED stop, turn, tail, and clearance/marker lights. The aluminum impact face plate is a light-weight assembly designed to cover the rear of the system and improve driver visibility. The VORTEQ® M was tested wit a painted and striped impact face plate.

Test Level: 3

Eligibility Letter: CC-172

MASH Test Number: 3-50, 3-51, 3-52, 3-53

Proprietary/Non-proprietary: Proprietary

Pass/Fail: Pass

Evaluation: Full-Scale Crash Testing

Sponsor: Trinity Highway Products