TTI Research Supervisor: Sun Hee Park Assistant Research Scientist Texas A&M Transportation Institute Texas A&M University System TAMU 3135, College Station, Texas, 77843-3135 (979) 317-2688 [email protected]
Pooled Fund Technical Representative: Tim Moeckel Roadside Safety Engineer WSDOT Development Division Washington State Department of Transportation P.O. Box 47329 Olympia, WA 98504-7246 (360) 704-6377 [email protected]
ABSTRACT
States face challenges providing crashworthy barrier systems at intersections where side roads or driveways are close to structures on major roads. The short radius guardrail system (SRGS) developed under NCHRP Project 15-53 is an effective barrier option but is currently only MASH Test Level 3 (TL-3) compliant on flat ground. The SRGS was tested at an impact speed of 50 mph when placed in front of a 2:1 slope and is considered MASH Test Level 2 (TL-2) compliant in this configuration. There is potential to improve the SRGS for broader use, and more cost-effective construction through design modifications. A survey of the Roadside Safety Pooled Fund member states showed the greatest interest in developing a MASH TL-3 compliant design for the SRGS when placed in front of a 2:1 slope by making modifications to the system developed under NCHRP Project 15-53.
This project investigates several potential design modifications of the SRGS when placed in front of a 2:1 slope that is compliant with MASH TL-3. A finite element model of the SRGS system was validated from previous tests, and modified SRGS designs were evaluated through impact simulations under TL 3 conditions. Details of modified designs are described, and recommendations for full-scale testing of the modified designs are presented herein.
