As the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) accelerates, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) is leading the charge in safety innovation. Roadway departure crashes, responsible for approximately one-half of all roadway fatalities, demand more attention. Understanding how traditional guardrail responds to EV impacts is just one crucial component for promoting roadway safety today and in the future.
On June 18, 2024, TTI and industry leaders convened for a first-of-its-kind crash test in Texas at the Texas A&M-RELLIS Campus. This test subjected a Tesla Model 3, weighing 3,897 pounds, to a 62-mph impact at a 25-degree angle with a thrie beam guardrail system, conditions matching those used in the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) crash testing. Leading the test at TTI included Senior Research Engineer and Associate Agency Director overseeing the Safety Group Lance Bullard, Assistant Research Scientist James Kovar and Senior Research Engineer and Manager of TTI’s Roadside Safety Program Roger Bligh. Attendees included representatives from the Texas Legislative Budget Board, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Federal Highway Administration, Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, The Texas A&M University System RELLIS Campus and Texas A&M University.
The impact of the crash ruptured the thrie beam rail, allowing the vehicle to penetrate through the barrier. This test failed to meet current crash testing evaluation criteria since the barrier did not contain and redirect the vehicle.
“Our vehicle fleet is ever-changing, and as industry continues the process of ensuring guardrails are meeting our safety needs, it’s crucial to consider which vehicles we should be testing,” says Bullard. “This crash test is another step in that ongoing process.”
The last guardrail redesign process resulting from the adoption of MASH led to design changes in hardware systems, and the recent crash test suggests that further iterations may be necessary. As one step in this process, TxDOT is initiating a new multi-state pooled fund study that will investigate the effects of EVs on roadside infrastructure. TTI will be the research agency for this effort. With approximately 210,000 registered EVs in Texas alone, the need for this research is evident.
“Guardrails have been tested extensively with traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, but we don’t yet know how they respond to EVs, which have a lower center of gravity and are generally heavier,” Bligh adds. “The results of the crash test do not indicate a call to panic but rather a call for more research.”
The impact of EVs on roadway infrastructure is a growing concern, with states like California, Florida and Texas leading in EV registrations, according to data derived from the National Renewal Energy Laboratory and Experian Information Solutions. Nationally, EVs are continuing to represent an increased portion of new vehicle sales. As the trend continues to rise in the coming years, the safety implications of this shift necessitate proactive research and adaptation.
“Our goal is to encourage our roadway safety systems to evolve in tandem with the vehicle fleet,” states Kovar. “Quick and readily implementable solutions may not be currently available. We need comprehensive research to investigate this further and develop robust safety measures.”
TTI’s crash test not only highlights the potential shortcomings of current guardrail systems but also underscores the importance of ongoing innovation in roadway safety. The Institute’s commitment to research and collaboration with industry leaders ensures that Texas remains at the forefront of this vital work. TTI’s unwavering commitment to safety grows in parallel with the momentum of EV adoption.
“As EV adoption grows, our commitment to safety must evolve,” says TTI Agency Director Greg Winfree. “This test underscores the urgent need for further research to ensure our infrastructure can keep pace and protect all road users.”
The next steps involve securing further funding and collaboration to address the evolving challenges posed by EVs. The pooled fund study led by TxDOT will help transportation agencies design safe, reliable and efficient infrastructure for the growing EV fleet, with a primary focus on improving roadside safety hardware to address performance limitations identified in tests with EVs. Learn more about the pooled fund study and how to get involved.