Citation

Post ER, Hirsch TJ, Hayes GG, Nixon JF. Highw. Res. Rec. 1973; 460: 97-113.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1973, National Research Council (U.S.A.), Highway Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Full-scale tests were conducted to evaluate and compare the performance of three median barriers of different configuration and lateral stiffness: The semirigid metal beam guard fence. Which consists of two back-to-back steel w-beam guardrails on breakaway steel posts; the relatively rigid e-3, which consists of two different sizes of strong elliptical steel rail members mounted on strong fabricated steel posts; and the rigid concrete median barrier with inclined faces. All three barriers satisfactorily restrained and redirected a standard-sized 4,000-lb passenger vehicle under the severe impact conditions of about 60 mph and 25 deg. However, severe sanagging occurred on a post of the e-3 barrier as a result of the vehicle mounting the lower rail member. The semirigid fence barrier is the most economical with regard to initial construction costs and the safest concerning probability of injury to unrestrained occupants during test impact conditions. However, the barrier will cost the most to repair, and its use in narrow medians is not desirable because of the possibility of the vehicle displacing the barrier and knocking the light pole into the roadway. The barrier would be satisfactory for use on rural roadways with wide shoulders and wide medians. The rigid medium barrier is the most economical when both initial construction costs and estimated repair costs are considered. /author/

Language: en

Keywords

HIGHWAY SYSTEMS; ACCIDENT PREVENTION; ROADS AND STREETS - Guard Rails