Understanding the Specifications of Blade Truck-Mounted Attenuators for Texas Work Zones
The Blade attenuator uses a stack of crumpling blades to absorb impact. Here is how it is built and where it fits on Texas roads.
The Blade is a truck-mounted attenuator that manages impact with a set of crumpling blades rather than a single cartridge. When a vehicle strikes it, the blades collapse in sequence and absorb the energy over distance, slowing the vehicle and protecting the crew ahead.
How the Blade is built
- 12 crumpling blades work together to absorb impact energy.
- It mounts on a host truck rated for the work-zone speed.
- It carries an FHWA Hardware Eligibility Letter for use on federal-aid projects.
- It fits alongside arrow boards or a message board on the same truck.
Fitting the Blade to Texas work
The right configuration depends on where the crew works. TL-2 covers zones posted at 45 mph and below; TL-3 covers 50 mph and above, which is most Texas freeway work near Justin and DFW. The host truck still needs to meet its weight rating, roughly 26,000 lb GVWR or more, so the unit performs as tested. Matching the Blade to the speed and the chassis is what keeps it compliant and effective.
The blades are engineered to crumple once. After any impact, the unit needs professional repair and re-certification before it goes back out.
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