For companies that carry out line-marking on highways and roadside maintenance projects, an investment in a truck mounted attenuator is a business decision that cannot be overlooked. A TMA will help ensure the safety of your workers, your equipment and passing motorists.

This guide will provide a quick overview of how truck mounted attenuators operate and point out some of the major features that will be beneficial to your company.

Truck Mounted Attenuator Basics

Truck mounted attenuators are fixed on to the back of a shadow vehicle and located at roadside maintenance sites. They are designed to protect the crew who work in front of the vehicle and any motorists that may accidentally drive into the closed traffic lane.

How TMA's Work

They work on the principle of energy absorption and are designed to absorb the kinetic energy (energy produced by motion), of a colliding vehicle. Attenuators make use of crushable materials including aluminium cells, elastomeric cylinders, light-weight steel foam and the latest technology to make highly efficient crumple zones which absorb the impact.

Years of research have been devoted to impact absorption techniques and the development of efficient materials and practices. Much information has been collected about the likely reaction of vehicles on impact and TMA's are designed using the latest data.

Best Features of a TMA

A range of TMA's with different specifications allows companies to choose the appropriate model for their needs.

Ease of Transportation

If you need to transport your TMA over long distances a compact model will allow for high speed travel along a motorway in order to arrive promptly at the site.

• A model that can fold up over the truck bed will provide better balance and weight distribution for travel.
• Preferably the cartridge section of the attenuator should fold horizontally while the strut section folds vertically, adjacent to the bed of the truck.
• Hydraulic power for support brackets is a desirable feature that will prevent vibration during transport and minimize wear and tear on hinge joints and fasteners.

These features combine to offer minimal wind resistance and drag and provide increased rear visibility, thus allowing you to drive safely at free way speed.

Ease of Set Up

A fast and simple setup procedure when on site is always highly desirable. A few minutes checking the pintle hooking system should be all that's needed to be ready for safe operation. Look for:

• Models which allow the driver to operate the rear of the TMA from the cabin to prevent exposure to traffic
• Swivel jacks at the rear and side for easy set-up

Ease of Refurbishment

Some models of attenuator have a modular design and are equipped with reusable components which do not need to be replaced after an impact.

• Steel supporting frames and strike plates are reusable. They are designed to collapse on impact. Only the aluminium, energy absorbing cartridges require replacing.
• The refurbishment of inserting the new aluminium cartridges is so straight forward it can often be done at the work site.

Modular design provides a cost effective and time saving benefit.

Safety Considerations

Unsurprisingly there are strict Government regulations covering the requirements for safe road side operations. Currently, each state has its own standards which can be quite perplexing if you operate nationally.

Fortunately new national codes are proposed and are likely to be introduced in the not too distant future.

An attenuator can play a vital role in your entire safety management system. The safety of your workers is naturally always at the forefront of your regime. However, the nature of highway work demands the additional responsibility of providing protection for the passing motorists.

The truck mounted attenuator can perform the invaluable duty of providing all round protection, for workers, motorists and your valuable equipment.