Why in news?
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has introduced the use of Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMAs) on Indian highways. These safety devices are intended to protect construction crews and motorists by absorbing the impact of collisions in work zones.
Background
India is rapidly expanding and upgrading its national highway network. Construction and maintenance crews often work in hazardous conditions where high‑speed traffic and poor visibility pose risks. To improve safety, MoRTH has encouraged highway concessionaires to adopt international best practices such as installing Truck Mounted Attenuators.
What are Truck Mounted Attenuators?
- TMAs are crash‑absorbing devices attached to the rear of a protective truck that stands between oncoming traffic and road workers. They are designed to absorb and dissipate kinetic energy in the event of a rear‑end collision, reducing the force of impact on both the maintenance crew and the occupants of the colliding vehicle.
- TMAs deployed in India meet globally recognised safety standards such as MASH Test Level‑3 and NCHRP 350 Test Level‑3, meaning they can withstand impacts at speeds up to 100 km/h.
- MoRTH’s pilot deployment includes 33 TMAs and 15 towable TMAs across nine highway projects in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. The concessionaire managing these projects oversees around 681 kilometres of roads.
Functions and benefits
- Impact absorption: In a collision, the attenuator collapses in a controlled manner, converting kinetic energy into deformation rather than transmitting it to people or equipment ahead.
- Early warning: TMAs are fitted with high‑intensity wig‑wag lights that flash in alternating patterns to form arrows. These lights warn drivers and guide them away from work zones. They are particularly useful on high‑speed corridors, at night and in foggy or low‑visibility conditions.
- Zero‑fatality corridors: By incorporating TMAs and other safety technologies, MoRTH aims to create “zero‑fatality corridors” where accidents are minimised despite ongoing construction.
Significance
The adoption of Truck Mounted Attenuators signals a shift towards a safety‑first approach in India’s infrastructure development. Such measures protect workers, reduce injuries among motorists and demonstrate how modern technology can make road expansion safer.
Source: Press Information Bureau
