TTI Research Supervisor: Maysam Kiani, Ph.D., P.E., PMP Assistant Research Engineer Texas A&M Transportation Institute Texas A&M University System TAMU 3135 College Station, Texas 77843-3135 (979) 317-2693 (979) 845-6107 (fax) [email protected]
Pooled Fund Technical Representative: Derwood C. Sheppard, Jr., P.E., M.Eng. Standard Plans Publication Engineer FDOT Roadway Design Office Florida Department of Transportation 605 Suwannee Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-0450 (850) 414-4334 [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Concrete median barriers (CBM) are used by department of transportation as both permanent and temporary barriers for providing separation of traffic. Typically, the crashworthiness of these barriers is tested and evaluated through full scale crash testing, conducted per current roadside safety device standards. Occasionally, DOT’s need to mount chain-link fences on top of these barriers to serve different purposes. In other cases, due to space restrictions, signs or light poles are placed on top of such barriers. When DOTs mount these objects on top of barriers, the crashworthiness of the modified system will need to be a evaluated.
The purpose of this research was to investigate the crashworthiness of a 36 inch tall, concrete, single, slow median barrier with chain-link fence mountain on top under mash evaluation criteria. The structural capacity, and the occupant risk factors of the proposed barrier system was a evaluated with respect to MASH Test Level 4 (TL-4) criteria through full-scale crash testing.
The CMB with fence mounted on top mental performance criteria for MASH test 4–11 for longitudinal barriers, but failed MASH test 4–12.