Delta Scientific, a provider of counter-terrorist vehicle control systems used in the United States and internationally, today announced the first in a new category of commercial, crash-tested vehicle barriers.  The new DSC 1000 is a self-contained unit that is stored and towed on its own trailer.

            Light enough to be towed by a golf cart and set up in only 10 minutes, the new DSC 1000 portable barrier has already passed an ASTM crash test in which it stopped a 5,000-pound (2300 kg) vehicle going 50 mph (80 kph), providing it with an ASTM rating of P50.  (Note to editors:  the new to-be-announced ASTM rating system will soon replace the present crash rating system.)

            “Many municipalities, event organizers and others that stage temporary events, ranging from farmers’ markets to concerts and sporting events, have requested a commercial barrier that can be towed into place and protect attendees from errant drivers,” says Delta Scientific Senior Vice President David Dickinson.  “Using our Soft Stop technology, the DSC 1000 stops such drivers from inflicting harm.”

            With no foundation or electrical hook-up needed, two people can set up and take down the new DSC 1000 barrier in minutes.  The barricade’s self-contained power system provides all the power necessary to raise and lower the unit onto its trailer and open and close the barrier.  This battery-powered system re-charges with a solar panel or external means.  Controls can be locked or operated at the barricade or remotely.          

            Contrary to the “hard stop” wanted with anti-terrorist crash-tested barricades, testing of the new DSC 1000 demonstrated that the collision did not distort the passenger compartment of the vehicle.  Instead, Soft Stop technology decelerates and stops the vehicle over a short distance, technically referred to as “occupant ride down acceleration.”

            “This is important,” emphasizes Dickinson.  “In many cases, the tragedies that the DSC 1000 will negate are accidents.  Authorities want the vehicle stopped but they also want to avoid injury to the driver as much as possible.”

            The DSC 1000 is the commercial extension of Delta Scientific’s MP5000, using the same electro-hydraulic power system.  The MP5000 was originally designed and introduced in 2003 for immediate use by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Deployment (USAID) and U.S. Army at checkpoints in Iraq.  Over 350 of the MP5000 barriers have been sold to the military, government agencies, private companies and others.  The MP5000 mobile deployable vehicle crash barrier stops a 7.5-ton (6400 Kg) vehicle traveling 30 mph (48 kph).   Its ASTM rating is M30 (originally defined as K4).

For more information, please send your e-mails to swm@infothe.com.

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