Development of energy absorbing refuge island using crash simulation

In order to find appropriate safety treatments for pedestrian crossing locations in rural areas of China, a hybrid energy absorbing reusable refuge island was designed and evaluated using finite element crash simulation modeling. This new type of refuge island contained reusable thermoplastic crash cushions and a series of self-restorative bollards for shielding pedestrians. It possessed excellent energy dissipation properties. Computer analysis models of car, crash cushion and bollard were developed. The refuge island was successfully evaluated by mid-size passenger car crash simulations using LS-DYNA. No detached elements, fragments, or other debris are present to penetrate the occupant compartment or present a hazard to pedestrians in the refuge island area. Since it has durability and economical efficiency, after passing an actual crash test the proposed reusable refuge island can be installed in pedestrian crossing locations in rural China such as midblock or at intersections.