After seven years RIMOB in practice : an evaluation of the Dutch impact attenuator RIMOB

This report forms an evaluation study of the RIMOB (rimpelbuis obstakelbeveiliger), an impact attenuator with crumpling tubes to absorb the collision energy, developed in the Netherlands. First an overview is given of all RIMOBs installed since 1982, completed with the collisions with them. Practical aspects like installation, location, replacement after a collision, and costs form part of the inventory. On the basis of the practical situation an investigation was made whether RIMOB was installed according to the criteria. Problems of fitting into the road scene and durability were considered also. On the basis of accident figures RIMOB was tested on its effectiveness in collisions. The severity of the injuries in RIMOB-collisions is compared to that caused by unshielded objects. On the basis of displacement and deformation of RIMOB and its parts, the necessity of improvements to the construction has been studied.