Safer Timber Utility Poles, Volume I - Summary Report

Two methods of modifying timber utility poles to radically increase the safety of passengers in impacting vehicles have been developed. The first is the Hawkins Breakaway System (HBS). It's development is comp 1 ete. Performance has been proven by the conduct of fu 11 scale vehicle compliance tests. This system is ready for selective implementation. The second is a device called the CAM which functions to prevent vehicle direct impact with a timber pole. It has been subjected to a single feasibility test which did illustrate good potential. The CAM, however, requires further development and appropriate compliance testing before implementation can be considered. Breakaway attachments were also developed for down guy wi res and are ready for implementation. A new method of evaluating compliance tests for breakaway timber utility poles has been developed and is described. The "safety philosophy" which forms the basis for the new method may be generally applicable to roadside safety improvements.