Citation

Bronstad ME, Kimball CE, McDevitt CF. Transp. Res. Rec. 1981; 796: 50-56.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper describes the development and evaluation of a unique guardrail system. Features of this barrier include a simple gravity-dependent self-restoring stage for automobile impacts that bottoms at a second stage that is capable of redirecting large vehicles. Screening of preliminary designs was accomplished by computer simulation and cost analyses. The prototype barrier design was revised into a final configuration based on crash test results. The self-restoring barrier (SERB) guardrail has successfully redirected vehicles that range from a 950-kg (2100-lb) mini automobile to a 18,000-kg (40,000-lb) intercity bus at 95 km/h (60 mph) and a 15 deg. angle. A unique feature of the new system is the self-restoring elastic 0.3-m (11-in) deflection of the rail, which provides forgiving redirection for most passenger car impacts without damage or permanent deformation of the system.