Patent ID: 7306397

Claim:
An energy absorbing system operable to minimize the results of a collision between a vehicle traveling on a roadway and a hazard comprising: the energy absorbing system having a first end and a second end; the second end of the energy absorbing system disposed adjacent to the hazard with the first end extending therefrom; a sled slidably disposed proximate the first end of the energy absorbing system; at least one energy absorbing assembly disposed between the hazard and the sled assembly; each energy absorbing assembly having at least one energy absorbing element; each energy absorbing element having a plurality of openings formed therein with respective segments disposed between adjacent openings; the sled assembly having at least one shredder attached thereto and generally aligned with each energy absorbing assembly and the at least one energy absorbing element; each shredder having a blunt surface generally aligned with the openings formed in the at least one energy absorbing element; the sled assembly having a first end facing oncoming traffic whereby a collision of a vehicle with the first end of the sled assembly will cause the shredder to slide longitudinally relative to each energy absorbing element and dissipate energy from the vehicle by shredding the segments disposed between respective openings; and each energy absorbing assembly is installed with each shredder disposed generally vertical relative to the roadway.