Teton Pass Leaves No Margin for Hesitation.

The westbound descent of WY-22 drops at a sustained 10% grade over more than five miles, forcing heavy vehicles into prolonged braking with little margin for error. When braking systems overheat or fail, drivers are suddenly managing thousands of pounds of uncontrolled momentum on a narrow, winding corridor.

The consequences are not theoretical.

Before the installation of the CatchNet system, this descent experienced a documented pattern of runaway truck crashes, rollovers, injuries, and fatalities near the community of Wilson. Motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and residents were all exposed to the risk created when a single vehicle lost control.

This was not a question of if another serious incident would occur.
It was a question of when.

The Teton Pass Story

2008–2015: Risk Becomes Pattern
Concerns about runaway truck risk on the westbound descent of WY-22 began surfacing as early as 2008, driven by a growing history of brake-failure incidents near the community of Wilson. The combination of steep grades, heavy truck traffic, and limited roadway geometry created a persistent safety challenge.

The Problem: Traditional Measures Fell Short
Rather than relying on a single traditional countermeasure, WYDOT recognized that signage, education, and escape ramps alone could not reliably address mechanical brake failure in a constrained corridor.

Engineering Evaluation Begins
WYDOT began evaluating alternatives that could deliver measurable, engineered stopping performance within real-world roadway constraints, not just theoretical compliance.

Solution Deployed: Mechanical Truck Arrestor System Installed
That process ultimately led to the installation of a mechanical truck arrestor system on the downhill approach into Wilson. The system was designed as a last-resort safeguard, engaging only when braking capability had already been lost.

Design Objective
The goal was simple but critical: reduce the severity of runaway truck incidents and protect the traveling public without relying on perfect driver reaction in a worst-case moment.

Today: A Permanent Safety Feature
Since installation, the system has become a permanent safety feature on one of Wyoming’s most demanding mountain corridors.

How the CatchNet System Works

The CatchNet system on Teton Pass is engineered to perform one task with precision: safely arrest a runaway heavy vehicle when all other options have failed.

The installation consists of eight high-strength nets stretched between concrete wall structures, positioned along the roadside in the system’s capture zone. Each net is supported by energy-absorbing arrestor canisters mounted to the walls.

When a vehicle engages the system:

1. The vehicle contacts the net
   The net captures the front of the vehicle and begins distributing load across the system.
2. Arrestors deploy controlled resistance
   Inside each canister, steel tape is pulled through an engineered friction mechanism, converting kinetic energy into controlled deceleration.
3. The vehicle is brought to a stable stop
   Energy is absorbed progressively across multiple nets, reducing the likelihood of rollover and keeping the vehicle upright.

Performance Capability

• Controlled deceleration: <1G
• Each arrestor can absorb up to 660 kip-ft of kinetic energy
• System designed to stop vehicles up to 90,000 lbs
• Typical arrest distance: ~200 feet

System Design Highlights

• 8-net configuration between reinforced concrete walls
• Energy absorption via friction-based arrestor canisters
• Modular components allow targeted repair after impact
• Engineered for repeatable, predictable performance
• Designed as a last-resort safeguard, not a primary braking system

The post The CatchNet System: A Critical Safeguard on Wyoming’s Steepest Corridor appeared first on Impact Technolologies.

• The Challenge
• The Solution
• Proven in the Field
• National Recognition
• Takeaway / Contact

The post When Innovation Meets the Mountain: How Wyoming’s CatchNET Redefined Truck Safety on Teton Pass appeared first on Impact Technolologies.

The TrainGuard® system is a ground-deployed vehicle arrestor designed specifically for highway-rail intersections. When activated, the system raises an energy-absorbing net to intercept and decelerate vehicles attempting to breach the crossing. By delivering controlled deceleration with minimal damage, TrainGuard® ensures trains and passengers are protected from catastrophic collisions.

Why It Matters

Highway-rail grade crossings remain one of the most critical points of risk in modern transportation. Traditional gates and signals deter most vehicles, but they cannot physically stop an errant or distracted driver.

TrainGuard® provides an active physical safeguard, bridging this gap by:

• Deploying on demand – Raises only when a train is approaching, minimizing disruption.
• Absorbing impact energy – Slows vehicles safely without catastrophic crashes.
• Reducing infrastructure costs – A cost-effective alternative to grade separation projects (overpasses/underpasses), often at a fraction of the cost.

Where It’s Used

TrainGuard® is designed for rail intersections where zero intrusion can be tolerated. This includes passenger rail lines operating at high speeds, hazardous material transport routes, and busy urban commuter corridors where safety is paramount.

Applications

• High-speed passenger rail crossings – Meets the requirements of FRA Class 7 operations (up to 125 mph).
• Hazmat transport routes – Prevents dangerous cargo from breaching protected crossings.
• Urban commuter rail intersections – Safeguards pedestrians, motorists, and trains in dense city environments.

Benefits at a Glance

• Ground-deployed for robustness and lower environmental impact.
• Energy-absorbing net minimizes vehicle and occupant damage.
• Cost-effective compared to grade separation.
• Scalable for high-speed rail and urban transit networks.

Summary

The TrainGuard® Vehicle Arrestor System redefines highway-rail safety by combining ground-deployed engineering, energy-absorbing reliability, and cost efficiency. Purpose-built for the most critical crossings, TrainGuard® is the solution where zero tolerance for intrusion is the only acceptable standard.

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Built on the same energy-absorbing technology as ActivNet®, the CatchNet® system uses a series of high-strength nets to safely bring runaway trucks and other heavy vehicles to a controlled stop. The system is engineered for power and reliability, capable of arresting a 90,000 lb truck traveling at 90 mph while keeping deceleration within survivable limits.

Why It Matters

Runaway truck incidents remain a serious hazard on mountain passes, steep grades, and industrial haul roads. Traditional escape ramps require large amounts of real estate, extensive grading, and regular maintenance.

CatchNet® offers an alternative that is compact, efficient, and highly effective:

• Energy-absorbing nets dissipate kinetic energy progressively, avoiding catastrophic impact.
• Proven reliability in extreme conditions such as snow, rain, and steep inclines.
• Reduced footprint compared to traditional sand or gravel escape ramps.

Where It’s Used

CatchNet® has been widely deployed in mountain passes across the U.S., including Wyoming, Utah, and Hawaii. These installations have provided decades of service, saving lives and protecting infrastructure in some of the country’s most demanding roadway environments.

Applications

• Truck escape ramps – A safer and more space-efficient alternative to sand or gravel beds.
• Mining haul roads – Protects high-value machinery and personnel in remote industrial sites.
• Industrial heavy-haul corridors – Ensures safe operations where oversized loads cannot be allowed to run uncontrolled.

Benefits at a Glance

• Arrests vehicles up to 90,000 lbs at 90 mph.
• Energy absorption reduces vehicle and cargo damage.
• Smaller footprint than traditional runaway ramps.
• Decades of field use in harsh mountain conditions.

Summary

The CatchNet® Vehicle Arresting System delivers a trusted, field-proven solution to one of the most dangerous roadway challenges: runaway trucks. By combining energy-absorbing nets, compact design, and unmatched stopping power, CatchNet® protects drivers, cargo, and infrastructure where failure is not an option.

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The ActivNet® system is a tower-based vehicle arrestor designed to safely slow and divert vehicles whenever access to a roadway must be restricted. Instead of relying on gates or static barriers, ActivNet® deploys a proven energy-absorbing net that captures and decelerates errant vehicles in a controlled manner.

This makes it an ideal solution for event-driven or scheduled lane closures, where both safety and reliability are paramount.

Why It Matters

Traditional barriers often force a choice between safety and flexibility. Gates may block lanes but do little to stop a heavy vehicle, while rigid barriers can be costly and cause severe damage on impact.

ActivNet® addresses both challenges by combining:

• Rapid deployment – Towers can raise or retract the arresting net on demand.

• Energy absorption – High-strength cables and ribbons dissipate the kinetic energy of a vehicle, reducing risk of catastrophic crashes.

• Operational efficiency – The system integrates with traffic signals and control centers for seamless use during planned closures or emergencies.

Where It’s Used

ActivNet® has been deployed in major metro regions where high-volume traffic and limited space require advanced solutions. Cities like New York, Chicago, and Dallas rely on ActivNet® to secure key roadway assets while keeping traffic moving.

Applications

• Reversible HOV lanes – Manage peak-direction traffic flow safely by securing lanes during off-peak hours.

• Drawbridge approaches – Prevent vehicles from entering a moving or raised bridge span.

• Tunnel entrances – Protect enclosed spaces where intrusion could have severe consequences.

Benefits at a Glance

• Safety first – Decelerates and redirects vehicles instead of simply blocking them.

• Flexible control – Lane closures can be scheduled or triggered by real-time events.

• Proven reliability – Backed by deployments in diverse, high-demand traffic environments.

Summary

The ActivNet® Vehicle Arresting Barrier provides agencies with a trusted, energy-absorbing solution for situations where zero intrusion can be tolerated. By combining tower-based deployment, net-based energy absorption, and seamless traffic integration, ActivNet® ensures that closures are not only effective but also safe for both drivers and infrastructure.

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