Lightweight Structures B.V. started the development of sustainable composite road furniture with improved passive crash safety in the mid 90s. The aim was to improve the quality of the environment by replacing zinc plated steel by composites and to reduce the number of fatal road accidents by cars crashing on lighting columns and utility poles. 
 
The design of the composite lighting column focused on the following (conflicting) aspects:

• The structural behaviour of the column under wind loads. The new composite lighting column is capable of withstanding high wind speeds (up to 30 m/s) with just a small deflection of the lantern (maximum 35 cm) according to the standard EN 40.
• The initial stage of the impact of a car, facilitating collapse of the column. Full-scale crash tests (with high speed video recordings and deceleration data) were used to improve the passive crash safety according to the standard EN 12767.

 
In short, the passive safety is described by means of ASI and THIV values obtained in a full-scale crash test. ASI (Acceleration Severity Index) is a measurement of the severity of the impact. The passive safety standard applies across a range of 1.4 (lowest safety level) to 0.6 (highest safety level). THIV (Theoretical Head Impact Velocity) is a measurement of the speed at which an occupant's head impacts on interior parts. The passive safety standard applies across a range from 44 km/hr (lowest safety level) to 11 (highest safety level).

The full-scale crash test of a car and a composite lighting column based on Lightweight Structures B.V.’s design showed at 100 km/hr that a high level of safety as measured in ASI and THIV can be obtained: The ASI value was only 0.59, which exceeds the requirement for the highest safety level! The THIV value was also very low: 3.6 km/hr. The exit speed of the vehicle measured 10 meters after the impact point was 57 km/hr. Pictures of the initial stage of the impact are shown below. The column collapsed and folded around the front of the vehicle and finally failed, resulting in scattered pieces of debris as shown in the pictures.

Lightweight Structures B.V. currently focuses on the production technology to facilitate the manufacturing of series of different columns. It consists of a smart performing technology and vacuum infusion. We seek international marketing & sales partners and manufacturing partners.