Researchers create protection that cushions the impact of knocking on poles

Researchers at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) have developed vehicle protection equipment that, coupled to lighting poles, cushions the impact of the crashes. The project arose from a public notice issued by Enel, which is the energy company in the state, in which the institution was awarded.

Enel even created its own device, made of concrete and sand, but the government questioned the product's aesthetics and the commitment to the accessibility of sidewalks.

Professor Augusto Albuquerque, from the Department of Structural Engineering and Civil Construction, led the project at UFC. He explains that the protective gear, called a fender, is made of plastic.

"This fender is a plastic fender, and it is filled with a material made from a mixture of polyurethane and waste tires."

The professor also spoke about the importance of this protector to reduce the severity of accidents involving vehicle occupants.

“The main idea is to save lives. Because when you generate damping, part of the energy that would be absorbed by the human body, by the pole, will be absorbed in the damping. So, by dissipating this energy, you are also reducing the impact on human beings.”

In addition, the equipment reduces the destruction of posts because it cushions the impact of hits. These guards are different from the well-known guard rail and guardrails, which are located on roads, as Professor Augusto explains:

“The difference is that guardrail , or traditional road fenders, are made to break on impact. The car decreases energy, but generally these fenders have an exhaust area, and some of the energy continues to be dissipated when the car enters the exhaust area. In the case of the post, we didn't have this possibility. The fender is attached to a material that the car will collide with”.

The new defense received a patent, delivered by the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), to researchers at the Federal University of Ceará and Enel.

*supervised by Bianca Paiva

Text translated using artificial intelligence.