Roadside Concrete Barriers: Warrants and End Treatment

摘要

The primary emphasis of the research was the development of a low-maintenance end treatment to shield the end of a concrete safety shaped barrier. It consists of a series of energy-absorbing rubber cylinders that are reusable after an impact. The cylinders are supported by steel diaphragms, and the thrie-beam fender panels are used for redirection purposes. The design was shown to meet recommended impact performance standards through a series of full-scale crash tests. Further, costs and labor to restore the treatment after most impacts will be considerably less than any other operational end treatment. Guidelines were also developed to identify roadway and traffic conditions where the concrete safety shaped barrier is warranted in lieu of standard W-beam roadside guardrail.