Paper 1: Crash Barrier Developments

Abstract

The search for economical barriers capable of redirecting without mishap high-speed vehicles and others out of control is being intensified in many countries.

Existing warrants for road-edge and median barriers are briefly reviewed, together with accident experience with median barriers.

Full-scale dynamic testing recently carried out in the U.S.A., Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom is outlined, and conclusions are drawn regarding the inadequacy of some barriers previously thought to be satisfactory, and the ways in which increased barrier effectiveness is being achieved.