Simplified Impact Testing of Traffic Barrier Systems (Phase I)

PDFTech ReportBarriers (Roads)TestingPerformanceImpact testsGutkowski, Richard M.Winkler, Derek J.United States. Dept. of TransportationColorado State University. Dept. of Civil EngineeringNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-DesignNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Highway SafetyUS Transportation CollectionA simplified impact test configuration was developed to provide a preliminary, economical means of assessing prototype traffic barriers before proceeding to full-scale federal testing. Specifically, the test was configured to assess the federal criteria for structural adequacy of highway safety features. In general, the test configuration utilized a wheeled surrogate test vehicle of similar weight to a production vehicle, mounted by rail to a 110-foot long, steep hydraulic flume. The barrier system targeted for assessment was portable barriers consisting of hollow plastic shells that used dead weight fill of water or sand. Representing a relatively new concept for temporary barrier applications that has been developed largely by small proprietors, few of these systems have been tested according to federal standards, such that public safety would stand to benefit significantly from the availability of a more economical test. Two impact tests were conducted on a plastic, water-filled portable longitudinal barrier system. While limitations of the test configuration prevented a detailed evaluation of the specimen according to federal standards, the tests were successful in providing an initial understanding of the system's performance. Lessons were drawn from the tests for application to future improvements of the test configuration