United States Department of Transportation
i
Determine Adequacy of Existing Roadside Barriers on High-Speed Roadways
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2024-08-01
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[PDF-6.16 MB]
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Edition:September 2021–July 2023
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Abstract:Longitudinal barriers (e.g., guardrails, median barriers, and bridge rails) are currently tested and evaluated at a design impact speed of 62 mph. Posted speed limits have increased in recent years. New or modified barrier designs may be needed to withstand high-speed impacts to maintain the desired level of safety for motorists traveling on high-speed sections of highway. The objectives of this project included determining appropriate impact conditions for roadways with posted speed limits of 75 mph and above, and investigating the capability of existing or modified barriers to accommodate these impact conditions. Clinically reconstructed crash data in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program 17-43 database was used to estimate 85th percentile impact conditions for roadways with posted speed limits of 75, 80, and 85 mph. Finite element modeling and simulation were used to assess the impact performance of four concrete barriers at high-speed impact conditions estimated for a posted speed limit of 85 mph. The occupant risk metrics and angular displacements for these barriers were all within MASH thresholds for both the 1100C passenger car and 2270P pickup truck, and it was concluded they are likely to meet MASH evaluation criteria. Two guardrail systems were evaluated through finite element impact simulations for impact conditions estimated for a posted speed limit of 80-mph. Both systems satisfied MASH evaluation criteria for the 1100C passenger car and 2270P pickup truck design vehicles, and it was concluded they have a reasonable probability of complying with MASH for the high-speed impact conditions. Due to a lack of validation of the barrier models for high-speed impact conditions and various limitations associated with predicting some failure modes such as rail rupture, researchers recommend crash testing these systems to verify impact performance.
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