Abstract
The performance of crash cushion systems is certified through the full scale crash tests by the standard for installation and maintenance guidelines for roadside safety appurtenance. The impact severities of impacting vehicles in collision with crash cushion systems are rated by indices THIV and PHD. Crash test results are considered to study the performance of three crash cushion systems. In case of the frontal impact or the offset frontal impact, the results show that THIV values of three systems are very close to the threshold limit for the occupant protection. Also, the results show that PHD would be improper for the occupant protection performance index. In order to improve the occupant protection performance of crash cushions, ASI needs to be included in the impact severity index.