Guidance for the Selection, Use, and Maintenance of Cable Barrier Systems

Marzougui, Dhafer; Mahadevaiah, Umashankar; Tahan, Fadi; Kan, Cing-Dao; McGinnis, Richard G.; Powers, Richard L.

doi:10.17226/22717

Cited by 13 publications

(19 citation statements)

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“…• The median guidelines produced under NCHRP Project 22-25 did not address this topic, although the project analyzed hundreds of median configurations (4). An addendum to those guidelines would be appropriate.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…FHWA and NCHRP research on the problem has found that vehicle-to-barrier interface effectiveness is related to lateral placement (1)(2)(3)(4). FHWA research has shown that cable barrier effectiveness is related to its design (e.g., number and height of cables, tensioning), configuration of the median (e.g., shape, width, slopes, depth), and lateral position of the barrier within the median.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Further Considerations for Effective Median Barrier Lateral Placement for Varying Highway Cross Sections

Marzougui

Kan

Opiela³

2014

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation R

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The primary purpose of longitudinal median barriers is to redirect errant vehicles that depart the roadway and thus prevent collisions with opposing traffic, terrain features, or roadside objects, which could lead to severe impacts. In the study reported in this paper, vehicle dynamics analysis was used to identify the influences of varying median configurations on interface effectiveness of barrier lateral placement options. The same approach taken in previous efforts to consider five vehicle types for a range of impact conditions was taken here, except that only uniform median configurations were considered. The variations in median shape, side slopes, and roadway elevations in the analyses were reflected in nonsymmetrical override and underride limits. Data for a road section under consideration for median improvement provided the basis for the assessment of the effects of variations in median configuration. Placement effectiveness plots were generated with vehicle dynamics tools for two barrier designs. The results showed effects on lateral placement locations resulted from atypical median configurations and in situations in which there was variation in the relative elevations of the roadways on a divided highway. The results suggested a need to consider the effects of transitions in the median configuration when the barrier type and the lateral position are selected for the full length of a project. The results enhanced understanding of the effectiveness of median barrier placement with various median configurations and barrier options.Over the past decade, cross-median crashes have been recognized as a serious safety problem and departments of transportation have endeavored to mitigate them in various ways. One approach has been to deploy cable barriers to redirect or capture errant vehicles before a cross-median crash can occur. Cable median barriers are considered attractive because of their low cost, short implementation time, ease of installation, and adaptability for sloped conditions. The general consensus is that cable barriers can be highly effective, but cases of underride or override have unexpectedly occurred with catastrophic results.FHWA and NCHRP research on the problem has found that vehicle-to-barrier interface effectiveness is related to lateral placement (1-4). FHWA research has shown that cable barrier effectiveness is related to its design (e.g., number and height of cables, tensioning), configuration of the median (e.g., shape, width, slopes, depth), and lateral position of the barrier within the median. Insights were revealed through vehicle dynamics analysis (VDA) that focused on the vehicleto-barrier interface for various medians and lateral placement. The fundamental premise was that, unless there was a good interface, no barrier could be effective. NCHRP Report 711: Guidance for the Selection, Use, and Maintenance of Cable Barrier Systems provided a wealth of guidance for the effective lateral placement after an exhaustive VDA of various conditions (4). In these efforts a broad ran...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Further Considerations for Effective Median Barrier Lateral Placement for Varying Highway Cross Sections

Marzougui

Kan

Opiela³

2014

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation R

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“…Durability and life expectancy requirements for road markings are defined in standards, guidelines and recommendations which are device-specific [2]. The life expectancy of road safety devices depends on the type and durability of manufacturing material [3], and how the devices are used. While this has been researched at length, it is not clear how the conditions of operation (weather, winter road maintenance, occurrence of micro vehicle impacts) affect the life expectancy of road devices.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Testing the durability and function of road traffic management devices

et al. 2017

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Abstract. Traffic management measures (vertical signs and horizontal marking, reflective elements) are used for guiding vehicles optically, indicating road mileage, marking objects in road gauge, marking vehicle and pedestrian safeguards and driver information and warning. This paper presents a synthesis of a literature study and the results of research conducted under stage one of the project LifeRoSE. The requirements for different traffic management measurements are described as well as durability and functionality tests and analysis of factors which influence durability and functionality of these measurements.

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“…(Chandler et al 2007) illustrates simply from a visual standpoint the difference between the two types of barrier, with the low-tension on top showing slack, while the bottom image shows high-tension with no slack in the cables. Beyond appearance, the deflection when hit is generally 4' less for high-tension cable than low-tension (Marzougui et al, 2012). The procedure for untangling trapped cars is reportedly less damaging to the barrier system for high-tension barrier when compared with low (Marzougui et al, 2012).…”

Section: Thesis Organizationmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Beyond appearance, the deflection when hit is generally 4' less for high-tension cable than low-tension (Marzougui et al, 2012). The procedure for untangling trapped cars is reportedly less damaging to the barrier system for high-tension barrier when compared with low (Marzougui et al, 2012).…”

Section: Thesis Organizationmentioning

confidence: 94%

Effectiveness of median cable barrier in Iowa

Nightingale

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Median-crossover crashes involve a vehicle departing the travel lane, traversing the median, and striking either a fixed object or an oncoming vehicle in the opposing direction of traffic. These types of crashes present the highest risk of fatal and severe injuries among all collision types on freeways. Median-crossover crashes are caused by a variety of factors, including driver distraction, impaired driving, mechanical failure, and loss of control. Median barriers are the primary countermeasure to reduce the opportunity for multi-vehicle crossmedian crashes. Due to the lower installation costs, as compared to more rigid systems, hightension median cable barrier has become a popular countermeasure for reducing such crashes. The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) began installing high-tension median cable barriers in 2003 and will have approximately 330 miles of such barrier installed on freeways statewide by the end of 2018. While anecdotal evidence suggests that cable barriers are functioning as desired, no in-depth analysis of performance or cost-effectiveness has been conducted to date. This project aims to determine the cost-effectiveness of median cable barrier systems based on crash cost savings resulting from reductions in fatal and injury crashes as compared to the costs associated with increased property-damage-only crashes, installation costs, and ongoing maintenance costs. An in-depth analysis of the frequency and severity of crashes occurring in the freeway median was conducted. This research identified general trends in crash frequency and severity between the pre-and post-installation periods. Following an extensive manual review of crash narratives, a before-and-after study design showed the overall impact of the median cable barrier program was a 51.3% reduction in fatal crashes. The barrier program also showed an 80.4% increase in total crashes, which was driven by an increase in property-damage-only crashes ix of 118.1%. Installation and maintenance repair costs on the barrier were investigated and discussed. The design life of the median cable barrier was recommended to be 20 years with a benefit-cost ratio of 9.153. Geometric characteristics such as median width, shoulder width, and barrier offset were investigated, but no significant trends were identified. Future research as to the relationship between roadway geometric characteristics and median cable barrier effectiveness is recommended in order to plan for subsequent installations of median cable barrier in Iowa.

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Guidance for the Selection, Use, and Maintenance of Cable Barrier Systems

Cited by 13 publications

References 0 publications

Further Considerations for Effective Median Barrier Lateral Placement for Varying Highway Cross Sections

Further Considerations for Effective Median Barrier Lateral Placement for Varying Highway Cross Sections

Testing the durability and function of road traffic management devices

Effectiveness of median cable barrier in Iowa

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