Citation

Gattis JL, Alguire MS, Narla SRK. J. Transp. Eng. 1996; 122(3): 210-214.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, American Society of Civil Engineers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A study of guardrail end accidents on the Oklahoma State Highway System (1988-91) examined the severity of exposed and turned-down guardrail end accidents in relation to the type of end, vehicle weight, and vehicle rolling and/or vaulting. The data showed that lightweight vehicles and turned-down ends were associated with increased rolling and/or vaulting. Rolling and/or vaulting was associated with increased accident severity. A direct interaction among end-type, vehicle weight, and accident severity was not present; however, the interaction among end-type, vehicle weight, and rolling/vaulting was statistically significant. In terms of the resulting injury and death, the overall performance of the turned-down ends was no better than the exposed ends that they had replaced.