SECTION 654 - IMPACT ATTENUATORS - PERMANENT (Last Revcised May, 2019)
654-1 Description.
654-1.01 General. The work shall consist of furnishing and installing; removing and disposing;
removing and storing; and relocating; impact attenuators, and installing foundations for impact attenuators, in accordance with the contract documents, the working drawings, and as directed by the Engineer.
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654-1.02 Inertial Barrier Modules. An impact attenuator consisting of sand-filled modules (barrels) set
in an array for site hazard protection.
654-1.03 Expendable Impact Attenuator. Impact attenuator which requires extensive repair, or
replacement, to return the unit to its full operating capacity.
654-1.04 Concrete Foundation for Impact Attenuator. A new concrete foundation on which an
attenuator is placed or, if required, anchored.
654-1.05 Transition Piece(s). Components of the attenuator system that are designed to connect between
the attenuator and the shielded object in such a manner as to prevent an impacting vehicle from snagging on the shielded object. Not all installations require a transition piece and some transition pieces must be capable of handling opposite direction impacts.
654-2 MATERIALS. Materials shall conform to the following subsections of Section 700 Materials and
Manufacturing: Portland Cement Concrete 501-2.01 Concrete Grouting Material 701-05 Anchoring Material- Chemically Curing 701-07 Precast Concrete 704-03 Epoxy Coated Bar Reinforcement, Grade 420 709-04 Expendable Impact Attenuator 712-06 Inertial Barrier Modules 712-07 Galvanized Coating and Repair Methods 719-01 Anchor Bolts, Nuts and Washers 723-60 Traffic Paint (White) 727-09 Aluminum Sign Panels 730-01 Reflective Sheeting 730-05
654-3 Construction Details.
654-3.01 General.
A.Drawings: Manufacturer’s drawings, modified as necessary to reflect site conditions, will be referred to as “working drawings.” Working drawings will take precedence over manufacturer’s drawings. Working drawings shall show attenuator system: supports, transition pieces, connections, miscellaneous parts, concrete or steel back-up structure, and anchorages not detailed in the plans, but which are necessary to develop the full performance of the impact attenuator. Attenuator mounting surface or foundation slab details and limits, will be shown in the working drawings. Any component not supplied by the manufacturer will be labeled as “PROVIDED BY OTHERS”. A minimum of 7 calendar days prior to beginning work, the Contractor shall submit three (3) copies of working drawings to the Engineer. The submission shall include the manufacturer’s certification that modifications made to manufacturer’s drawings reflecting site conditions will not impair the satisfactory performance of the impact attenuator as designed and tested under NCHRP requirements. All aspects of the working drawings shall be implemented in the field, including any alterations of the concrete barrier or other obstruction being shielded.
B.Manuals. A minimum of 7 calendar days prior to beginning work, the Contractor shall deliver to the Engineer 3 copies of design manuals, installation manuals, parts lists, and maintenance manuals prepared for each type of impact attenuator being installed.
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C.Coordination with Other Work. Coordinate the work under this section with removal and installation of shielded objects, barriers and guide rail in such manner as to limit the exposure of vehicular traffic to potential hazards to no more than 7 calendar days.
D.Excavation. Necessary excavation shall be performed in accordance with Section 203 Excavation and Embankment. Where the perimeter of the foundation slab will not be adjacent to pavement, the limit of excavation shall be 2 feet outside of the slab and forming shall be used. Where the perimeter of the foundation slab will be adjacent to pavement that is to remain in place, the limits of excavation shall be the limits of the foundation slab and the existing pavement shall be saw cut full depth prior to removal of the pavement and performance of the excavation work. Sawcutting and excavation shall be included in the cost of the foundation.
E.Anchorages. The impact attenuator shall be anchored to the new foundation slab or existing concrete foundation as shown on the working drawings. Anchor bolts and studs not cast integrally into the new foundation slab shall be anchored with approved concrete expansion anchors, concrete grouting material, or approved chemically curing anchoring material. Such anchor bolts or studs shall be set into holes drilled with rotary impact drills of the size recommended by the manufacturer of the anchor. Core drills will not be acceptable. Care shall be taken that anchor studs projecting from the surface and exposed to foot or wheeled traffic be well marked or protected. A backup structure, if required by the manufacturer, shall be installed as indicated in the approved Materials Details or working drawings.
F.Transitions. The Contractor shall install the appropriate standard transition piece(s). If a transition is needed, but there is no standard transition design, a manufacturer’s approved special transition piece, subject to the Engineer’s approval, shall be furnished and installed. Refer to §654- 3.01A for submittal requirements.
G.Directionality. When the contract documents indicate that an attenuator must handle two-way traffic, rather than diverging traffic, the Contractor shall supply an attenuator that is approved for the two-way traffic.
H.Reflectorization. ASTM Type III (Class B), Type V (Class C), or Type IX (Class E) sheeting directly applied to plastic or aluminum sheeting, or other lightweight rigid material, shall be affixed to the front cylinder, module, or front face of the impact attenuator. The pattern and color of the reflectorization shall be as indicated in the contract documents. If no dimensions are provided, the panel shall be approximately square with a minimum of 18 inches on a side (24 inches on Inertial Barrier Modules). Whenever approaching traffic is allowed to pass on both sides of the unit, the pattern shall be upward pointing v-shaped striping, 4 inches wide, alternating between reflectorized yellow and opaque non-reflectorized black stripes, as indicated for Type 3 Object Markers in the MUTCD. When traffic will be permitted on only one side, the pattern shall be diagonal 4 inch stripes, downward sloping to the side on which traffic is to be permitted.
654-3.02 Inertial Barrier Modules. The Contractor shall install Inertial Barrier Modules of the size and
number required at the locations, and to the configurations, indicated in the contract documents. The Contractor shall also paint and label the layout pattern and weights on paved surfaces using traffic or other durable paint. The weight shall be marked. When either indicated in the contract documents or when the modules are placed on a bridge deck on any slope exceeding 6%, the 200 lb units shall be restrained from movement and overturning (vandalism) by mechanical means.
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654-3.03 Expendable Impact Attenuators. The Contractor shall install Expendable Impact Attenuators
on existing or new foundations, as indicated on the contract documents and the working drawings.
654-3.04 Concrete Foundation. When the existing concrete pavement is not sufficient to meet the
anchorage requirements or there is not an adequate existing foundation, the Contractor shall remove the existing pavement and construct a reinforced concrete foundation slab and back-up structure to the dimensions indicated in the working drawings. The foundation slab shall be not less than the thickness indicated on the working drawings, or 8 inches, whichever is greatest. The concrete shall be batched in accordance with Section 501 Portland Cement Concrete. If accelerators are needed, the Contractor shall submit the concrete mix design to the Materials Bureau for prior approval. The concrete shall be formed (when necessary), placed, and cured in accordance with Section 502 Portland Cement Concrete Pavement. The surface shall be hand finished. The size, length, and bending details of reinforcement shall be as shown in the foundation slab details in the working drawings. The minimum allowable reinforcing shall be epoxy-coated #5 bars, with longitudinal spacing 16 inches on centers, and cross bar spacing 6 feet on centers. Longitudinal bars shall be placed such that they will not be cut during anchorage installation. If foundation slab removal is specified, voids resulting from the removal of foundation slabs shall be filled with compacted suitable material or compacted granular material, or other designated material as specified in the contract documents or by the Engineer. The excavated section of pavement between the new foundation slab and the limits of excavation shall be restored to the full height of the surrounding sound pavement.
654-3.05 Removal and Disposal. The Contractor shall remove impact attenuators of the indicated type,
and if required the associated foundation slabs, from their existing locations. Upon removal, the impact attenuators and foundation slabs shall become the property of the Contractor. If foundation slab removal is specified, voids resulting from the removal of foundation slabs shall be filled with compacted suitable material or compacted granular material, or other designated material as specified in the contract documents or by the Engineer. If the slab is to remain in place, holes in and other damage to the surfaces underlying the impact attenuator shall be repaired. Anchor bolts or studs that are no longer required or usable shall be removed or cut off flush with the surface.
654-3.06 Removal and Storage. The Contractor shall remove impact attenuators of the indicated type
from their existing locations in a manner that preserves their condition. The impact attenuators shall remain the property of the State, and the Contractor shall store and protect them in a manner that preserves their condition at locations within the contract limits. Parts damaged by the Contractor’s activities shall be replaced with like parts in satisfactory condition or repaired at no cost to the State. If the slab is to remain in place, holes in and other damage to the surfaces underlying the impact attenuator shall be repaired. Anchor bolts or studs that are no longer required or usable shall be removed or cut off flush with the surface.
654-3.07 Relocate. The Contractor shall remove impact attenuators of the indicated type from their
existing locations in a manner that preserves their condition, and reinstall them at the same location or install them at another designated location. The impact attenuators shall remain the property of the State during the course of the work. If required, the Contractor shall construct a new foundation slab. The cost of the new foundations will be paid for separately. If intermediate storage is required during the relocation, the Contractor shall store and protect impact attenuators. Damaged parts shall be replaced with like parts in satisfactory condition or be repaired at no cost to the State. The cost of replacing or repairing parts having pre-existing damage will be considered Extra Work.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3 If the original slab is to remain in place, holes in and other damage to the surfaces underlying the impact attenuator shall be repaired. Anchor bolts or studs that are no longer required or usable shall be removed or cut off flush with the surface.
654-4 Method of Measurement.
654-4.01 General. (VACANT)
654-4.02 Inertial Barrier Modules. The quantity to be measured for payment will be the number of
inertial barrier modules installed.
654-4.03 Expendable Impact Attenuator. The quantity to be measured for payment will be the number
of expendable impact attenuators installed.
654-4.04 Concrete Foundation for Impact Attenuator. The quantity to be measured for payment will
be in cubic yards of reinforced concrete foundation installed.
654-4.05 Remove and Dispose. The quantity to be measured for payment will be the number of impact
attenuators removed.
654-4.06 Remove and Store. The quantity to be measured for payment will be the number of impact
attenuators removed.
654-4.07 Relocate. The quantity to be measured for payment will be the number of impact attenuators
relocated.
654-5 Basis of Payment.
654-5.01 General. The unit prices bid for the work described in this section shall include the cost of all
labor, materials, and equipment necessary to satisfactorily perform the work. Pavement restoration: Pavement restoration will be paid for separately under the contract pay items for Truing and Leveling. If there are no contract pay items for Truing and Leveling, then pavement restoration will be paid under the contract pay item for the top course of asphalt. If no contract pay items exist in the contract for paving items, then no separate payment for pavement restoration will be made. Payment will be made under: Item No. Item Pay Unit 654.01xx Inertial Barrier Module, ___ Pounds Each xx =01 for 200 lb units; 02 for 400 lb units; 03 for 700 lb units; 04 for 1400 lb units; 05 for 2100 lb units. 654.05 Concrete Foundation for Impact Attenuators Cubic Yards 654.06 Drill and Grout Anchoring System into Existing Foundation Each 654.0701 Remove and Dispose Impact Attenuator Systems Each 654.0702 Remove and Store Impact Attenuator Each 654.08 Relocate Impact Attenuator Each 654.5020 Expendable Impact Attenuator , TL 2, ≤ 2 ft Obstruction Width Each 654.5022 Expendable Impact Attenuator , TL 2, > 2 ft up to 5 ft Obstruction Width Each 654.5025 Expendable Impact Attenuator , TL 2, > 5 ft Obstruction Width Each 654.5030 Expendable Impact Attenuator , TL 3, ≤ 2 ft Obstruction Width Each 654.5032 Expendable Impact Attenuator , TL 3, > 2 ft up to 5 ft Obstruction Width Each 654.5035 Expendable Impact Attenuator , TL 3, > 5 ft Obstruction Width Each
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Referenced in this section
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Source: Standard Specifications (US Customary Units), 2026 (Jan) Edition. Pages 957–962 of 1,489. View official source ↗