SECTION 916 — CRASH CUSHIONS — CRASH CUSHIONS
916.01 Description.
General. This work consists of furnishing and installing crashworthy systems or modules that conform to the manufacturer’s specifications , allowing a vehicle to safely decelerate. Ensure that the selected crash cushion, formerly referred to as crash cushions, is acceptable for use under the prevailing highway conditions (e. g., design speed and traffic and truck volumes) and meets current FHWA standards for crashworthiness. Ensure that the type of crash cushion selected has as small a footprint as possible while providing its intended function. Permanent Narrow Condition Crash Cushion. This item consists of furnishing and installing a redirective, non-gating crash cushion that conforms to the manufacturer’s specifications. Narrow condition crash cushions are designed to protect hazards equal to or less than 2 ft in width. Temporary Narrow Condition Crash Cushion. This item consists of furnishing, installing, maintaining, relocating (if necessary), and removing a temporary redirective non- gating crash cushion that conforms to the manufacturer ’s specifications. Temporary Narrow Condition Crash Cushions are designed to protect hazards equal to or less than 2 ft in width. If using water filled barrier through the winter months, provide an approved antifreeze solution in the water. Permanent Wide Condition Crash Cushion. This item consists of furnishing and installing a redirective, non-gating crash cushion that conforms to the manufacturer’s specifications. Wide Condition Crash Cushions are designed to protect hazards greater than 2 ft in width. Temporary Wide Condition Crash Cushion. This item consists of furnishing, installing, maintaining, relocating (if necessary), and removing a temporary redirective, non-gating crash cushion that conforms to the manufacturer ’s specifications. Temporary Wide Condition Crash Cushions are designed to protect hazards greater than 2 ft in width. If the crash cushion will be in place during the winter months, provide an approved antifreeze solution to the water filled barrier. Permanent Shock Absorbing Barrier Modules. This item consists of furnishing and installing a non-redirective, gating crash cushion in the form of sand filled, polyethylene modules arranged in an array that conforms to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Part 900 — Incidental Construction and Services August 2025
SECTION 916 — CRASH CUSHIONS 900-47 Temporary Shock Absorbing Barrier Modules. This item consists of furnishing, installing, maintaining, replac ing, relocating (if necessary), and removing a non-redirective, gating crash cushion in the form of sand filled, polyethylene modules arranged in an array that conforms to the manufacturer’s specifications. Remove, Relocate, and Reset Temporary Crash Cushion; Remove, Relocate, and Reset Shock Absorbing Barrier Modules. This work consists of removing previously installed crash cushions from one location and subsequently installing the crash cushions at a new location. This is generally used to accommodate the various stages of construction. Concrete Leveling Pad. This work consists of performing all operations necessary to furnish and install all components for the placement of level surfaces under crash cushions or shock absorbing barrier modules in the form of concrete leveling pads. Perform all work according to the manufacturer’s specifications. The location and orientation of the concrete pad will be as shown in the Contract or as determined by the Engineer. As part of the installation of the concrete leveling pad, remove the existing surface and prepare the new surface.
916.02 Materials.
Use materials that meet the requirements of the manufacturer’s recommendations and have been accepted by the Federal Highway Administration for use in the location intended. Ensure that the crash cushion and shock absorbing barrier modules are designed for Test Level 3 (TL- 3) when the design speed is greater than 45 mph and Test Level 2 (TL -3) when the design speed is 45 mph or less. Provide a concrete leveling pad that is Portland cement concrete and has a minimum strength of 4000 psi. Use materials that conform to PART M. Use Portland cement concrete that conforms to SECTION 601. Ensure that the use of epoxy, rods, anchors, and steel reinforcements comply with the manufacturer’s specifications.
916.03 Construction Methods.
General. Install a ll crash cushions according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Furnish a manufacturer’s installation manual and submittal showing the proposed system setup (including the system length and width and proposed attachment/connection to existing barrier) or modules array to the Engineer before installing the unit. Ensure that t he submittal demonstrates that the device meets the MASH TL-2 or TL-3 specifications as applicable. Ensure that the crash cushion is compatible with the barrier or other device that the crash cushion is attached to or protecting. Any adjustment or realignment of any part of the unit for Contractor access or convenience will be performed at no additional cost to the Department.
Part 900 — Incidental Construction and Services August 2025
900-48 SECTION 916 — CRASH CUSHIONS Field Measurements. Make all appropriate field measurements and evaluate special conditions for installation before the preparation of submittals. Relocation. Remove the temporary crash cushions from their initial locations and transport to new locations. Place the relocated crash cushion on the pavement/concrete and secure or attach (if necessary) according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and as. Replace and/or Repair Damaged Crash Cushions. Permanent Installations. For permanent crash cushions within the Limits of Disturbance (LOD) that are damaged by traffic after installation but before Final Acceptance of the Contract, repair or replace the damaged elements based on Subsection 109.04(d). Repair or replace an existing crash cushion that is damaged by traffic, and/or perform maintenance of the system if required as determined by the Engineer. This work includes 1) repairing components of an existing crash cushion system, or 2) replacing the existing crash cushion with a new system and removal of the existing components and/or system. Remove and dispose of all damaged material and debris and all associated snow removal up to a depth of 13 in. as measured by the Engineer. Complete repairs required as a result of manufacturing defects, installation defects, or Contractor operations at no additional cost to the Department. When required, furnish replacement parts and repair the unit as necessary within 72 hours after notification from the Engineer. Once the Contractor has begun repairs, ensure that the area remains protected and that the work continues until all repairs are complete. Ensure that the repaired system or modules conform to the manufacturer’s specifications for a new system or a new modules array. Notify the Engineer if the work cannot be completed within the required timeframe. Temporary Installations. Comply with Subsections 104.08 and 107.08 and SECTION 937 regarding the Contractor’s responsibilities for repairing or replacing temporary crash cushions. Comply with the manufacturer’s recommendations for crash cushion repair or replacement. Repair or replace temporary crash cushion at no additional cost to the Department. Design-Build Contracts. On Design-Build Contracts where crash cushions (permanent or temporary) are shown on the Base Technical Conceptual (BTC) plans for repairs, replacement, or as temporary traffic control, repair or replace the damaged crash cushion based on Subsection 109.04(d).
Part 900 — Incidental Construction and Services August 2025
SECTION 916 — CRASH CUSHIONS 900-49 On Design-Build Contracts where crash cushions are not shown on the BTC plans (i.e., the crash cushion installation had been designed by the DB Team) for either temporary or permanent conditions, repair or replace the damaged crash cushion at no additional cost to the Department. Maintenance. Perform maintenance according to SECTION 937. Concrete Leveling Pad.
a.Geometry. Ensure that the concrete pad has a minimum thickness of 8 in. Ensure that the installed pad has a cross slope that does not exceed 8 percent and does not vary (twist) more than 2 percent in its length. Provide a light broom finish to the pad surface. If the manufacturer’s specification states otherwise, use the more stringent specification.
b.Fi eld Measurements. Make all appropriate field measurements and evaluate special conditions for installation before the preparation of Shop Drawings.
c.S hop Drawings . Submit Drawings according to Subsection 105.02 showing the proposed concrete leveling pad setup including the length and width, any reinforcing, and proposed tie-in to existing concrete or existing ground surface. The Engineer will approve the Drawings before the start of construction.
d.I nstallation. When installing the concrete pad to space rebar, minimize interference with the anchor bolt holes that allow the system to be anchored to the concrete leveling pad.
916.04 Method of Measurement.
Crash Cushion will be measured by the number of units installed. Shock Absorbing Barrier Modules will be measured by the number of groups installed . A group is defined as including all modules necessary to complete a specific installation.
916.05 Basis of Payment.
The Department will pay for the completed and accepted quantities as follows: Pay Item Pay Unit Permanent Narrow Condition Crash Cushion EA Temporary Narrow Condition Crash Cushion EA Permanent Wide Condition Crash Cushion EA Temporary Wide Condition Crash Cushion EA Permanent Shock Absorbing Barrier Modules GRP Temporary Shock Absorbing Barrier Modules GRP
Part 900 — Incidental Construction and Services August 2025
900-50 SECTION 916 — CRASH CUSHIONS The prices constitute full compensation for all labor, materials and equipment, surface preparation, loading, hauling, concrete leveling pad, and incidents required to finish the work, complete and accepted. Payment for temporary work is included under SECTION 937.
Crash Cushions in other states
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Source: Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction (Blue Book), 2022 (Aug 2025 compilation) Edition. Pages 653–657 of 951. View official source ↗