TTI Research Supervisor: Nauman M. Sheikh, P.E. Research Engineer Texas A&M Transportation Institute Texas A&M University System TAMU 3135, College Station, Texas,77843-3135 (979) 317-2695 [email protected]
Pooled Fund Technical Representative: D. Jean Vedenoff California Department of Transportation Division of Research 5900 Folsom Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95819 (916) 227-5836 [email protected]
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this project was to evaluate the performance of a new free-standing-to anchored F-shape portable concrete barrier (PCB) transition system. The anchored portion of the PCB system utilized vertical anchors installed in asphalt pavement. The evaluation was conducted in accordance with the safety-performance assessment procedures outlined in the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH), Second Edition, published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) (1). A full-scale crash test was carried out following MASH Test 3-21 impact conditions, which specify an impact of the transition system by a 5,000-lb pickup truck traveling at 62 mi/h and striking the barrier at an angle of 25 degrees.
This report provides details of the free-standing-to-anchored F-shape PCB transition system, the crash test procedures and results, and the performance assessment of the transition system in accordance with MASH Test 3-21 evaluation criteria. The new free-standing-to-anchored F-shape PCB transition system met the performance criteria for MASH Test 3-21.
The optional MASH Test 3-20, involving a small passenger car, was not considered critical for evaluating the transition system and was not conducted. Based on the results of the crash testing, the free-standing-to-anchored F-shape PCB is considered compliant with MASH Test Level 3 criteria.
