Impact Attenuators

Impact attenuators are the last line of defense between a vehicle and a fixed hazard — bridge piers, toll booth islands, gore points, overhead sign supports, and concrete barrier ends. When a driver leaves the travel lane at highway speed, a properly installed crash cushion can reduce the severity of a 60 mph impact from fatal to survivable. Ideal Fencing Corp installs MASH-tested impact attenuator systems across 13 states, maintaining DOT approvals and manufacturer certifications for the systems specified on your project.

Attenuator Systems We Install

**Redirective Crash Cushions**: Energy-absorbing systems that decelerate a vehicle in a head-on impact and redirect vehicles that strike the side. We install MASH TL-3 redirective systems including the REACT 350, QuadGuard, TAU-II, and SCI Smart Cushion. These systems protect bridge piers, concrete barrier ends, and overhead sign supports on high-speed highways.

**Non-Redirective Crash Cushions**: Decelerate-only systems used where side impacts are not a concern. Sand barrel arrays are the most common non-redirective attenuator — a series of sand-filled plastic barrels arranged in a tapered pattern to progressively absorb energy. We install sand barrel arrays per state DOT standard layouts, typically 6 to 12 barrels per installation.

**Water-Filled Barriers**: Portable water-filled attenuators for work zone applications. Deployed in advance of concrete barrier ends, arrow boards, and fixed work zone hazards. We supply and install Energite, TrafFix, and Water-Wall systems for construction zone protection.

**Truck-Mounted Attenuators**: Mobile crash cushion systems mounted on shadow vehicles for moving work zones. While we do not provide the shadow vehicles, we install and maintain the TMA units that mount to them.

MASH Compliance and Approved Products

Every attenuator we install is on the applicable state DOT approved products list and has been tested to MASH TL-2 or TL-3 standards. As of the federal implementation deadline, all new attenuator installations on federal-aid projects must use MASH-tested systems. We track the approved products lists for CDOT, WSDOT, ODOT, ITD, MDT, UDOT, NMDOT, KDOT, WYDOT, KYTC, TDOT, ODOT (Ohio), and NDOT (Nebraska) to ensure every system we bid and install meets current requirements.

Installation and Documentation

Attenuator installation requires precision — nose alignment, anchor bolt torque, cartridge placement, and nose-to-hazard offset must meet manufacturer specifications exactly. Our installers complete manufacturer training for each system we install and follow published installation manuals step by step. Every installation is photo-documented with measurements verified against manufacturer tolerances. We provide as-built packages including material certifications, installation photos, and torque verification logs.

Repair and Restocking

Crash cushions absorb impacts by design — and then they need repair or replacement. Our attenuator repair crews respond within 24 to 72 hours to assess damage, replace cartridges and deformed components, and restore the system to original specifications. For sand barrel arrays, we restock and replace damaged barrels, verify barrel weights, and adjust the array pattern per DOT standards. We offer maintenance contracts for agencies managing large attenuator inventories.

Pricing

Impact attenuator pricing varies widely by system type. Sand barrel arrays range from $5,000 to $12,000 per installation. Redirective crash cushions range from $15,000 to $45,000 per unit depending on system and speed rating. Work zone water-filled attenuators run $3,000 to $8,000 per system. We provide unit pricing aligned with DOT bid items.