Design Safe Road

Roadside Safety
Introduction to Barrier

CIVE 437 G
 Outline
5. Barrier
1. Introduction • Introduction
2. Clear Zone • Length of need (LON)
• End and transition
3. Drainage Devices treatment
4. Breakaway 6. Crash Cushions and
Work Zone
Applications

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 Roadside Barriers

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RDG Chapter 5 3
 Remembering RDG Design Options
1. Remove the obstacle
2. Redesign the obstacle for safe traversal
3. Relocate the obstacle
4. Make breakaway
5. Shield the obstacle
6. Delineate the obstacle
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Your expectation on barrier
function
 Barrier Function
• Contain vehicle
• Absorb energy
• Redirect vehicle

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 功能 (拦截, 导向, 消能)
• Contain vehicle
• Absorb energy
• Redirect vehicle

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 • Contain vehicle
• Absorb energy
• Redirect vehicle

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 • Contain vehicle
• Absorb energy
• Redirect vehicle

Tensile Strength
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 Testing Pictures

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Remember, barriers can be hazards also
Other Trees
32% 27%

Utility
Barrier 13%
Barriers
Embankment
and Ditches
Poles
8%
13% 20%
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9/13/2023 12
 Content
• Introduction
• Barrier Testing
• Barrier warranting process
• Barrier placement
• Length of need
• End treatment
• Transition
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 Barrier System

1. Basic segment (how long?)

2. End Treatment
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 Barrier location
• Roadside Barriers

• Median Barriers

• Bridge Railings
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 Barrier Classification Based on Deflection
TYPE DEFLECTION
Flexible Over 5 Feet
Semi-Rigid
Rigid 0 - 1 Foot

These numbers are based on the

standard strength test with the
pickup truck impacting the rail
at 62 mph and 25 degrees.
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 Flexible Systems
Cable Systems
W-beam (weak post)
3- Strand Cable
System
It is very forgiving and
flexible but may deflect
up to 12’ in a high-
speed, high angle hit.

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 Cable Barrier Test

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 Cable Barrier Characteristics

Minimizing
Big lateral Absorbing vehicle
deflection energy damage

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 7-10
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 Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report — KTC-17-17/SPR16-526-1F
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 High-Tension Cable, HTC

9/13/2023 Publication No. FHWA-CFL/TD-05-009 for Low Volume Roadway 22

Zero Death Destination calls for cable median barrier in Louisiana

I-10 in St. James Parish

I-220 in Caddo Parish

From Lafayette local news two days ago on $14,000,000, 40-mile

cable median barrier project along I-10
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 Weak Post
W-Beam
W-Bean TL –2/ TL-3
bolt

Post

7-11
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 Semi-Rigid Systems

• Box Beam

• W-beam (strong post)

• Thrie Beam/Modified Thrie Beam

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 Box beam system

7-14
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 Strong Post W-Beam (TL-3)

block
block out is to
prevent the
wheel from
snagging on the
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 Strong Post W-Beam Test
Steel Post/ Steel Block

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 Strong Post W-Beam Test
Steel Post/ Wood Block

V
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 Strong Post W-Beam Test
Wood Post/ Wood Block

V
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 Thrie Beam Test Steel Post/ wood Block

V
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Modified Thrie-Beamto
Modified thrie beam
keep the face of bean vertical
when it is hit and the posts push
backwards in the soil.

14’

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 Rigid Systems- concrete barrier
• New Jersey Shape
• F-Shape (Preferred)
• Single Slope
• Vertical Concrete Wall
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 Concrete Safety Shape

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 F Concrete Barrier

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 NJ concrete
New barrier
Jersey Concrete
Barrier, TL-4

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 NJ Shape Test

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 F-shape barrier, TL-4

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 Single Slope Barrier
TL-5

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 Vertical Wall Test

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 Texas Tall Wall
Ultimate wall
TL-6

When you absolutely positively do not want

anything to penetrate the barrier, this is the
Ultimate Wall 7-32
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 Content
• Introduction
• Barrier Testing
• Barrier warranting process
• Barrier placement
• Length of need
• End treatment
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 Why standardize the test?
• The function of roadside barrier:
– Containing ROR vehicle
– Absorbing energy
– Redirecting vehicle
• A benchmark to measure products from
various vendors (performance-based)
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9/13/2023 49
9/13/2023 50
Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware
(MASH)
• Chapter 1—Introduction
• Chapter 2—Test Matrices and Conditions
• Chapter 3—Test Installation
• Chapter 4—Test Vehicle Specifications
• Chapter 5—Test Evaluation Criteria
• Chapter 6—Test Documentation
• Chapter 7—In-Service Performance Evaluation
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• Appendix A-F 51
 Chapter 1: Introduction
• A goal of a highway safety feature is to provide a forgiving
roadway and roadside that reduces the risk of a serious
crash when a motorist leaves the roadway.
• The safety goal is met when the feature either contains
and redirects the vehicle away from a roadside obstacle,
decelerates the vehicle to a safe stop, readily breaks away
or fractures or yields, allows a controlled penetration, or is
traversable, without causing serious injuries.

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• Ideally, the roadside would be clear of all obstructions,
including unnecessary roadside hardware, and be traversable.
However, there are numerous roadside areas that cannot
practically be cleared of all fixed objects or made traversable.
At these sites, the use of an appropriate safety feature or
safety treatment is intended to reduce the consequences of
a departure from the roadway.
• The crash testing guidelines presented herein cover vehicular
tests to evaluate the impact performance of permanent and
temporary highway safety features.

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Safety Features
• Support structures
• Longitudinal barriers
– Breakaway luminaires and
– Flexible and semi-rigid signs
barriers
– Utility poles
– Rigid barriers
– Work-zone traffic control
– Barrier transitions devices
• Terminals • Work zone attenuation and
– Guardrails channelizers
– Median barriers – Truck-mounted attenuators (TMAs)
– Longitudinal channelizers
• Crash cushions
– Other
– Redirective
• Drainage and geometric features
– Non-redirective
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 Testing Levels
• A test level is defined by impact conditions
(speed and angle of approach) and the type of
test vehicle (ranging in size from a small car to
a fully loaded tractor-trailer truck)
• Longitudinal barriers may be tested to six test
levels and other roadside features may be
tested to three test levels
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9/13/2023 56
 Evaluation Criteria
1. Structural adequacy of the tested feature
(roadside hardware)

2. Occupant risk (driver and passengers)

3. Vehicle trajectory after impact (vehicle

position after crash)
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 1. Barrier Structural Adequacy
• Test vehicle must be contained
• Test vehicle must be redirected or come to a
controlled stop
• Controlled deflection of the barrier is
acceptable

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 2. Occupant Risk
• No penetration of the passenger
compartment
• Passenger compartment should not be
significantly deformed
• Test vehicles must remain upright after
collision
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 3. Vehicle Trajectory
• Should not intrude into adjacent traffic lanes

• It is better to have exit angle from barrier less

than 60% of the impact angle

• Vehicle trajectory behind an end treatment Is

acceptable
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 Testing Criteria for Terminals and
Crash Cushions
• Require Exactly the Same Crash Test Matrix
(Same Number and Type of Tests)
• As Many As Seven Different Tests May Be
Required
• Only 3 Test Levels Are Recognized
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9/13/2023 62
 Content
• Introduction
• Barrier testing
• Barrier warranting process
• Barrier placement
• Length of need
• End treatment
9/13/2023 • Transition 63
 Barrier Warrants

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 Warranting Process
1. Determine Clear Zone
2. Identify Hazards
3. Identify Alternatives
4. Assess Relative Risks and Costs

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 Warrants for Barriers
• Barrier must be Less of a Hazard
• Economic Analysis
• Innocent Bystander
• Crash history

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Barrier warrants for non- traversable terrain and roadside obstacles

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 Bridge Abutments and Piers

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 Large Drainage Structures

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 Non-Breakaway Sign Supports

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 Embankments

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Figure 5.1 -
Comparative Risk
Warrants for
Embankments
Barrier Warranted

Barrier Not Warranted For

Embankment. However,
Check Barrier Need For
Other Roadside Obstacles.

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 Content
• Introduction
• Barrier testing
• Barrier warranting process
• Barrier installation
• Length of need
• End treatment
• Transition
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 Placement of Barriers
1. Deflection Distance

Barrier to Hazard
Distance Is a Critical
Element

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 Deflection Distance

Barrier to Hazard
Distance Is a Critical
Element

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 7-43

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 Placement of Barriers
1. Deflection Distance
2. 10:1 or Flatter Side Slopes

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 Rail away from road

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 Barrier on Slopes

V 9/13/2023 79
 General Rule: 1V:10H or Flatter in
Front of Barriers
• Can be as steep as 1V:6H if
barrier is within 2 ft. of break.

• Cable should not be installed on

a slope steeper than 1V:6H

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 Recommended beam barrier
placement on slopes

if a beam barrier must be placed on a slope as steep as 1V:6H it should be

placed at least 12 feet beyond the hinge, increasing the likelihood that the
vehicle will be back on the ground.
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 Placement of Barriers
1. Deflection Distance
2. 10:1 or Flatter Side Slopes
3. Avoid Curbs

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 Curbs on High-Speed Roads
Not Recommended

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 Barriers and Curbs

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 Barriers and Curbs

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 Barriers and Curbs

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 Modified curb

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9/13/2023 88
 Placement of Barriers
1. Deflection Distance
2. 10:1 or Flatter Side Slopes
3. Avoid Curbs
4. Soil Support

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2’ Minimum Clearance For Slope Locations
the barrier at least 2’ from the hinge point of
the slope if the slope is steeper than 1:3.

2’
Measured From
Back of Post Hinge Point

1. Can be as steep as 1V:3H with strong soil and 6 ft. posts

2. Can be <1 ft. and steeper than 1V:3H slope with 7 ft. posts.
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 Reduce post spacing

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 Placement of Barriers
1. Deflection Distance
2. 10:1 or Flatter Side Slopes
3. Avoid Curbs
4. Soil Support
5. Locate as far off road as practical without
affecting function
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 As Far Off Road As Practical

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 Review
1. Flexible roadside barrier systems include:
a. Cable
b. Strong Post W-Beam
c. F Shape

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 Review
2. The basic barrier warrant is:
a. A minimum ADT of 5,000.
b. The barrier must be less of a hazard than the
hazard.
c. Anytime the clear zone is not available.

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 Review
3. Among all considerations, deflection is the
most important installation criteria.
a. True
b. False

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 Review
5. It is acceptable to place W-beam type
barrier on a 4:1 slope.

True or False?

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 Summary
• Function and type of barriers
• Barrier warranting process
• Barrater installation requirements
• Basic testing requirements (from MASH)

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 Content
• Currently acceptable barriers
• Barrier testing
• Barrier warranting process
• Barrier placement
• Length of need
• End treatment
9/13/2023 • Transition 102
 Length of Need

9/13/2023 RDG Chapter 5 103

 Must be familiar with:
• AASHTO barrier design method
• Variables involved in designing a correct
barrier layout
• Principles of barrier design

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 Concept of Length of need

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 Runout Length (LR)
Hazard

POD

Runout Length (LR)

Runout Length is the stopping

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distance off the pavement. 106
 Table 5.8 - Suggested Runout Lengths
Design Speed Runout Length L R (ft)
(mph) Over 6000 ADT 2000 - 6000 800 - 2000 Under 800 ADT
70 475 445 395 360
60 425 400 345 330
55 360 345 315 280
50 330 300 260 245
45 260 245 215 200
40 230 200 180 165
30 165 165 150 130

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 Simple Calculation

ETW

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 Similar Triangles
X = LR
18 30
H 18 (360)
X=
30 ft 18 30
H X = 216 ft.

X
LR = 360 ft

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 Does hazard location affect length of need?

X
LR = 360 ft

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 Step 1: Identify the Hazard

Step 1: Identify the hazard and the lateral extent of the hazard
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 Step 2: Define the Point of
Departure (POD)

LR

Step 2: Define the point in advance of the hazard a motorist leave

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 Step 3: Intersect the Hypotenuse
Length of Need

LR

Step 3: design the barrier installation to intersect the hypotenuse

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 Calculating the Length of Need
Clear Zone Line
LR
X
LA L1 End of
a
Barrier
LC b
I
L3 Y
L2
Edge of Traveled Way

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 LA =offset To the Back of Hazard
Clear Zone Line
LR
X
LA L1 End of
a
Barrier
LC b
I
L3 Shy Line Y
L2
Edge of Traveled Way LS

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 LC = Clear Zone
Clear Zone Line
LR
X
LA L1 End of
a
Barrier
LC b
I
L3 Shy Line Y
L2
Edge of Traveled Way LS

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 L3 = Offset to Front of Hazard
Clear Zone Line
LR
X
LA L1 End of
a
Barrier
LC b
I
L3 Shy Line Y
L2
Edge of Traveled Way LS

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 L2 = Barrier Offset
Clear Zone Line
LR
X
LA L1 End of
a
Barrier
LC b
I
L3 Shy Line Y
L2
Edge of Traveled Way LS

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 Barrier Offset (L2)
1. Deflection Distance
2. 10:1 or Flatter Side Slopes
3. Avoid Curbs
4. Soil Support
5. As Far Off Road As Possible
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 LR = Runout length

Clear Zone Line

LR
X
LA L1 End of
a
Barrier
LC b
I
L3 Shy Line Y
L2
Edge of Traveled Way LS

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 Table 5.8 - Suggested Runout Lengths
Design Speed Runout Length L R (ft)
(mph) Over 6000 ADT 2000 - 6000 800 - 2000 Under 800 ADT
70 475 445 395 360
60 425 400 345 330
55 360 345 315 280
50 330 300 260 245
45 260 245 215 200
40 230 200 180 165
30 165 165 150 130

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 b/a = Standard Section Flare

Clear Zone Line

LR
X
LA L1 End of
a
Barrier
LC b
I
L3 Y
L2
Edge of Traveled Way LS

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 Benefit of Flared Barrier
Shorter Barrier length
H Moves end away from traffic

ETW

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 Table 5.7 Suggested Flare Rates

Flare Rate for Barrier

Design Speed Flare Rate for Barrier Beyond Shy Line
(mph) Inside Shy Line * **
70 30:1 20:1 15:1
60 26:1 18:1 14:1
55 24:1 16:1 12:1
50 21:1 14:1 11:1
40 18:1 12:1 10:1
45 16:1 10:1 8:1
30 13:1 8:1 7:1
*Suggested Maximum Flare Rate for Rigid Barrier Systems
**Suggested Maximum Flare Rate for Semi-Rigid Systems

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 L1 = Beginning point of flare
Clear Zone Line
LR
X
LA L1 End of
a
Barrier
LC b
I
L3 Shy Line Y
L2
Edge of Traveled Way LS

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 X and Y: in Length of Need calculation

Clear Zone Line

LR
X
LA L1 End of
a
Barrier
LC b
I
L3 Shy Line Y
L2
Edge of Traveled Way LS

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 Clear Zone Line
LR
X
LA L1 End of
Barrier

LC a
b

L3
I Shy Line Y
L2
Edge of Traveled Way LS

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 Equations

X = LA + (b/a) (L1) – L2
(b/a) + (LA/LR)

Y = LA – (LA X)/LR

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X = ( LA– L2)/ (LA/LR) for a parallel installation
Clear Zone Line
LR
X
LA L1 End of
Barrier
LC a
b

L3
I
Y
L2
Edge of Traveled Way

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 Where:
• LA = Back of Hazard (No more than LC)
• b/a = Flare rate (see Table 5.7)
• L1 = Beginning of Flare
• L2 = Barrier Offset
• LR = Runout Length (see Table 5.8)
• X = Length of Need
• Y = Lateral Offset
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 Opposing Traffic
Clear Zone Line
LR
X
a
b L1
LA
End of Barrier
LC

I
Y L3
L2
EOTW
Adjacent Traffic
Opposing Traffic

When are you most likely to leave the road on the left?

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Again for no-flare design: Graphic Solution

Edge of LA
Traveled
Way

LR

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 Example Problem

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9/13/2023 143
 Good installation?
How did this happen?

10-37
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 Good LON Installation

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 Review
The purpose of runout length is to:
a. Provide for sufficient barrier offset.
b. Provide stopping distance off the
road.

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 Summary
• Classification and function of barrier
• Barrier warranting
• Barrier placement (deflection, slope, curb)
• Barrier length
• Basic barrier test evaluation criterion

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