Task 1. Conduct a literature review of relevant research and other sources related to the project objective. The literature review shall include research on vehicle occupant risk as well as safety and crash testing for sign and luminaire support structures and work zone devices. The review shall include published and unpublished research conducted through the NCHRP; the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA); other national, international, and state organizations; and pooled fund studies. Task 2. Review available in-service performance evaluations and comparable international evaluations of sign and luminaire support structures and work zone devices. Task 3. Synthesize and summarize the results of Tasks 1 and 2. Define the knowledge gaps relevant to the project objective. Document the findings of Tasks 1 through 3 in a technical memorandum. Task 4. Develop a method to achieve the project objective to be executed in Phase II. For sign and luminaire support structures and work zone devices, the method shall, at a minimum, formulate strategies to: Analyze the differences between current U.S. and EU crash test procedures and evaluation criteria, including but not limited to factors such as vehicle types, centers of gravity, vehicle occupant risk, and vehicle behavior post impact; Develop a list of device families (e.g., single or multiple sign support structures, longitudinal channelizers, energy-absorbing luminaire supports) applicable to the project objective; Develop criteria for ranking device families for study; Rank and recommend device families; For the selected device family(ies); Investigate current occupant risk criteria threshold(s) related to injury risk in the context of crash testing; Analyze selected U.S. and EU crash tests; and Explore how concepts from EN12767 or other applicable EU standards can inform updates to MASH, including different evaluation criteria for different families. Task 5. Prepare Interim Report No. 1, which documents Tasks 1 through 4 and provides an updated work plan for the remainder of the research. Following a 1-month review of Interim Report No. 1 by the NCHRP project panel, the research team will meet in-person with the panel to discuss the interim report. For budgeting purposes, the proposer shall plan on having the in-person panel meeting in Washington, DC. Costs for the in-person meeting venue and travel costs for NCHRP panel members to attend the meeting will be paid separately by the NCHRP. Work on Phase II of the project will not begin until authorized by the NCHRP.
