Development of guidelines for cable median barrier systems in Texas.

667219363Technical report; Sept. 2006-Feb. 2008.PDFTech Reporthttp://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5609-2.pdfFHWA/TX-10/0-5609-2Project 0-5609CablesMedian barriersGuidelinesTexasTexas Transportation InstituteCooner, Scott A.Rathod, Yatin K.Alberson, Dean C.Bligh, Roger P.Ranft, Stephen E.Sun, DazhiTexas Transportation InstituteTexas. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Technology Implementation OfficeNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-Construction and MaintenanceNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-DesignNTL-OPERATIONS AND TRAFFIC CONTROLS-Traffic Control DevicesUS Transportation CollectionSince 2003, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has embarked on an aggressive campaign to installmedian barriers to prevent cross-median crashes on freeway facilities statewide. In the few years prior to 2003,virtually all fatalities on interstate facilities (96 percent) were the result of cross-median crashes. TxDOT used specialsafety funding to accelerate projects and decided to primarily implement high-tension cable/wire rope median barriersystems in lieu of concrete so that more roadway miles could be protected.This report documents the development of guidelines for use of cable barrier systems in Texas. The research teamperformed a comprehensive review of currently available guidance on cable barrier systems. The guidelines reviewincluded four broad categories:\uef\u201a\ub7 guidance on barrier selection,\uef\u201a\ub7 guidance on barrier design,\uef\u201a\ub7 guidance on barrier placement, and\uef\u201a\ub7 guidance on general system considerations.The development of guidelines for cable median barrier systems in Texas concentrated on existing information in statedepartments of transportation (DOT) design manuals and memorandums, manufacturer product manuals, andcompleted studies \ue2\u20ac\u201c including the results of the in-service performance evaluation in Texas. The development ofconsistent and practical guidelines for the use of cable barrier systems is necessary so that TxDOT design, operationsand maintenance staff can make sound decisions. Since the use of cable barrier systems is still a relatively new practicein Texas, the guidance is timely because many districts continue to look for sites and funding for implementation. Thisreport is written primarily to convey the cable barrier system guidelines