• A Truck Mounted Attenuator (TMA) is a crash-protection device mounted on the rear of a truck.

  • It is used mainly in road construction and maintenance zones.

  • Its primary function is to absorb or dissipate the kinetic energy of a vehicle that crashes into it.

  • It protects:

    • Road workers

    • Construction equipment

    • Motorists

  • TMAs are particularly useful where traffic moves close to temporary work zones.

Key Pointers

  • Full form: Truck Mounted Attenuator

  • Purpose: Crash-energy absorption

  • Location: Road work zones

  • Beneficiaries: Road workers + motorists

  • UPSC angle: Road safety / infrastructure