BACKGROUND

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) defines the crashworthiness evaluation criteria and test conditions necessary to evaluate roadside hardware. MASH requires that test vehicles meet certain inertial and dimensional criteria and that vehicles be reasonably representative of commonly available, high-sales volume vehicles. 

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are increasing in popularity and some states have adopted legislation to reduce or ban the sale of passenger internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) by 2035. BEVs tend to be heavier than ICEVs by between 20 and 50 percent for models with similar cabin sizes and power outputs. Also, BEVs have significantly different structures than ICEVs: instead of an internal combustion engine, BEVs utilize battery packs commonly mounted in the floor pan and electrical motors that affect vehicle crush space, center-of-gravity height, and structural frame of the vehicle. 

The differences between BEVs and ICEVs could lead to incompatibilities with existing roadside hardware. However, currently little or no research is available regarding the crashworthiness of roadside hardware impacted by BEVs. 
 
Research is needed to investigate the crashworthiness of roadside hardware impacted by BEVs given the increasing number of BEVs on the road. 

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research is to perform an initial investigation into the crashworthiness of some common generic roadside hardware when impacted by BEVs and to develop a framework for future testing.

Accomplishment of the project objective will require at least the following tasks.

TASKS

PHASE I – Planning 

Task 1. Conduct a literature review of relevant research, literature or other sources considered to be the state-of-the-practice regarding BEVs as related to roadside hardware. The review may include published and unpublished research conducted through the NCHRP; Federal Highway Administration (FHWA); and other national, international, state, and pooled-fund-sponsored research.

Task 2. Conduct a critical analysis and synthesis of the results of the literature review and identify knowledge gaps and opportunities as related to the project objective. Identify concerns with BEVs when impacting roadside hardware. These concerns and gaps must be addressed in the final deliverables as the budget allows or in the recommended future research. 

Task 3. Develop a methodology to achieve the project objective to be executed in Phase II. At a minimum, the methodology shall formulate strategies to

• Define selection criteria and recommend candidate BEVs for testing (e.g., review sales to determine most prevalent models, inertial and structural data for vehicles);
• Identify commonly used generic roadside hardware;
• Recommend roadside hardware for testing, the number of crash tests, and the specific MASH tests to be performed as a part of this study; and
• Prioritize and recommend roadside hardware for future testing.

Task 4. Prepare Interim Report No. 1 that documents Tasks 1 through 3 and provides an updated work plan for the remainder of the project. 

PHASE II – Execute Testing Program and Develop a Framework for Future Testing

Task 5. Execute the method according to the approved Interim Report No. 1. Provide provisions for the panel to virtually live-view each crash test. Summarize the findings from each crash test in a brief technical memorandum. Conduct virtual panel meetings to debrief the panel on the results of each test.

Task 6. Document the findings from Task 5 and identify potential design modifications to the roadside hardware with any failed tests. 

Task 7. Prepare a draft framework for future testing per the approved Interim Report No. 1.

Task 8. Prepare Interim Report No. 2 that documents Tasks 5 through 7 and provides an updated work plan for the remainder of the project.

PHASE III – Final Deliverables

Task 9. Prepare final deliverables, including

• A research report, including an executive summary and the framework for future testing, that documents all research and project efforts;
• A PowerPoint presentation with speaker notes that summarizes the project and distinctly illustrates for the audience how the research can be applied in their organization;
• Supporting data files including photos and videos;
• Coordinate and deliver a presentation of the results to the AASHTO Technical Committee on Roadside Safety; and
• A technical memorandum titled “Implementation of Research Findings and Products”.

 STATUS: Research in progress.