Evaluation of Rigid Hazards Placed in the Zone of Intrusion

10994872008Final ReportPDFTech ReportTRP-03-151-08SPR-3(017)ColumnsImpact testsLuminairesPickup trucksPoles (Supports)Traffic signsTraffic safetyMerging areaMerging controlConcrete barriersZones of intrusionDesignHighwaysResearchSafety and Human FactorsI85: Safety Devices used in Transport InfrastructureUnited StatesNebraskaMidwest States Regional Pooled Fund ProgramWiebelhaus, Mitch J.Polivka, Karla A.Faller, Ronald K.Rohde, John R.Sicking, Dean L.Holloway, James C.Reid, John D.Bielenberg, Robert W.Midwest States Regional Pooled Fund ProgramMidwest Roadside Safety FacilityNebraska. Dept. of RoadsUnited States. Federal Transit AdministrationUS Transportation CollectionThe objectives of this research were to evaluate the current practices for the placement of luminaire poles both on top of and behind single-slope concrete barriers and to determine their effects on safety for both the driver and occupants of the impacting vehicle and nearby pedestrians. Three full-scale crash tests were performed on the barrier system and luminaire poles, with the first two full-scale crash tests evaluating the performance of a luminaire pole placed on top of a single-slope concrete barrier and the third test evaluating the performance of a luminaire pole placed behind the single-slope concrete barrier. The first full-scale crash test, test no. ZOI-1, was performed according to the test designation 4-12 of NCHRP Report No. 350. The test consisted of a 7,985-kg (17,605-lbs) single-unit truck impacting the barrier at a speed of 81.0 km/h (50.4 mph) and at an angle of 15.6 degrees. This test passed all of the NCHRP Report No. 350 safety requirements as the single-unit truck was safely brought to a controlled stop. The second full-scale crash test, test no. ZOI2, was performed according to test designation 4-11 of NCHRP Report No. 350. The test consisted of a 2,009 (4,430-lbs) pickup truck impacting the barrier at a speed of 99.3 km/h (61.7 mph) and at an angle of 23.4 degrees. This test passed all of the NCHRP Report No. 350 safety requirements as the pickup truck was safely brought to a controlled stop. The third full-scale crash test, test no. ZOI-3, was performed according to test designation 4-12 of NCHRP Report No. 350. The test consisted of a 8,000-kg (17,637-lbs) single-unit truck impacting the barrier at a speed of 80.8 km/h (50.2 mph) and at an angle of 16.4 degrees. This test passed all of the NCHRP Report no. 350 safety requirements as the single-unit truck was safely brought to a controlled stop.75