HIGHWAY DESIGN MANUAL Chapter 10 Roadside Design, Guide Rail

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

HIGHWAY DESIGN MANUAL Chapter 10 Roadside Design, Guide Rail HIGHWAY DESIGN MANUAL Chapter 10 Roadside Design, Guide Rail, and Appurtenances Revision 92 (Limited Revision) March 16, 2020 Issued by Engineering Bulletin 20-018 Effective with Design Approval on or after May 01, 2020 ROADSIDE DESIGN 10-2 Section Changes Throughout Updated references to A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets to the most recent edition (7th edition, 2018) Throughout Chapter reformatted for improved legibility. The new format links the revision to the issuing document and actual effective date, rather than just the issuing date. Throughout Retitled and renumbered tables and figures as consecutive “exhibits’ and updated references in text. 10.2.2.7 Shielding Added “Bicyclists”; edited and expanded section to include reference of Pedestrians to bollards. and Bicyclists 10.2.2.8 Inserted new Section 10.2.2.8 “Security Bollards” Security Bollards EB 20-018 D.A. 05/01/2020 ROADSIDE DESIGN 10-3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 10.1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 5 10.2 NEW, RECONSTRUCTION, AND FREEWAY 2R/3R PROJECTS ................................................ 6 10.2.1 Clear Zones ............................................................................................................................... 6 10.2.2 Barrier Design Parameters ...................................................................................................... 22 10.2.3 Barrier Types ........................................................................................................................... 46 10.2.4 Median Barriers ....................................................................................................................... 63 10.2.5 Barrier Terminals ..................................................................................................................... 86 10.2.6 Impact Attenuators ................................................................................................................ 104 10.2.7 Developed Area and Large Volume Exceptions ................................................................... 119 10.3 EXISTING FACILITIES ................................................................................................................ 135 10.3.1 Evaluation of Existing Facilities ............................................................................................. 136 10.3.2 Detailed Scope of Work Determinations ............................................................................... 145 10.3.3 Documentation of Roadside Design Process for Upgrading of Existing Facilities ................ 152 10.4 CONSTRUCTION ZONE GUIDANCE ......................................................................................... 156 10.4.1 Temporary Concrete Barriers (TCB) ..................................................................................... 156 10.4.2 Temporary Timber Safety Curb and Median Barriers ........................................................... 156 10.4.3 Dragnets ................................................................................................................................ 156 10.4.4 Moveable Concrete Barriers ................................................................................................. 156 10.4.5 Warrants for Work Zone Barriers .......................................................................................... 156 10.5 SPECIAL TOPICS ....................................................................................................................... 157 10.5.1 Mailboxes .............................................................................................................................. 157 10.5.2 Fencing .................................................................................................................................. 159 10.5.3 Cattle Passes ........................................................................................................................ 165 10.5.4 Guide Posts ........................................................................................................................... 166 10.5.5 Barriers on Dead-End Roads and Streets ............................................................................ 166 10.5.6 Public Relations..................................................................................................................... 167 10.5.7 Resetting Guide Rail ............................................................................................................. 168 10.6 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 172 APPENDIX A - SPOT EVALUATION OF DESIRABLE CLEAR ZONE WIDTHS .................................10-A1 APPENDIX B - SUPPORT OF GUIDE RAIL OVER SHALLOW OBSTRUCTIONS ..............................10-B1 APPENDIX C – BARRIER IMPACT TESTING AND ITS RELATION TO IN-SERVICE PERFORMANCE.......................................................................................................... 10-C1 INDEX .................................................................................................................................................. 10IND-1 EB 20-018 D.A. 05/01/2020 ROADSIDE DESIGN 10-4 LIST OF FIGURES Exhibit 10-1 Recommended Basic Recovery Widths (BRW, in feet from travel lane) .............................. 8 Exhibit 10-2 Horizontal Curve Adjustment Factors (Koc) ........................................................................... 8 Exhibit 10-3 Clear Zone Segments (Matching Selection to Attainable Clear Area)................................ 11 Exhibit 10-4 Sample Table of Clear Zone Widths (to be included in Project Plans) ............................... 13 Exhibit 10-5 Basic Point of Need Determination ..................................................................................... 25 Exhibit 10-6 Crush Accommodation for Parallel-Type Proprietary Terminals ........................................ 26 Exhibit 10-7 Runout Lengths ................................................................................................................... 28 Exhibit 10-8 Left Side Runout Lengths ................................................................................................... 29 Exhibit 10-9 Runout Length Alternatives ................................................................................................ 30 Exhibit 10-10 Backslope Anchorage for Weak Post Rail Systems .......................................................... 31 Exhibit 10-11 Back Slope Anchorage for Heavy-Post Blocked-Out Corrugated Rail .............................. 32 Exhibit 10-12 Clear Area Requirements for Gating Terminals................................................................. 33 Exhibit 10-13 Barrier Deflections for Standard1 Impacts .......................................................................... 36 Exhibit 10-14 Maximum Lateral Offset ..................................................................................................... 37 Exhibit 10-15 Deflection Reduction Factors ............................................................................................. 37 Exhibit 10-16 Intermediate Posts Required to Reduce Rail Deflection ................................................... 38 Exhibit 10-17 Minimum Shoulder Break Offsets (in feet) to Back of Guide Rail Posts ............................ 56 Exhibit 10-18 Guidance for Median Barrier Use on Non-Interstate High Speed (50 mph or greater) Freeways and Expressways ............................................................................................. 65 Exhibit 10-19 Recommended Barrier Locations for Uneven Medians ..................................................... 75 Exhibit 10-20 Single Slope Concrete Median Barrier .............................................................................. 76 Exhibit 10-21 Moveable Concrete Barrier ................................................................................................ 77 Exhibit 10-22 Truck Barrier (Extra High) .................................................................................................. 78 Exhibit 10-23 Terminals at Crossover Areas ........................................................................................... 84 Exhibit 10-24 Recommended Barrier Flare Rate Limits for Permanent Installations .............................. 87 Exhibit 10-25 Approved Sand Barrel Array for 90 km/h ......................................................................... 109 Exhibit 10-27 Location of HDM Guidance on Roadside Design Process for Existing Facilities ............ 136 Exhibit 10-28 Acceptable Barrier Heights When Upgrading Existing Facilities ..................................... 144 Exhibit 10-29 Example Page of Roadside Design Summary................................................................. 155 Exhibit 10-30 Recommended Guide Rail Installation Time Allowances ................................................ 170 EB 20-018 D.A. 05/01/2020 ROADSIDE DESIGN 10-5 10.1 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this chapter is to provide the designer with guidance on measures to reduce the number and/or severity of accidents when vehicles leave the traveled way. The concept of a forgiving roadside environment was developed in the 1960s. A key element of the concept was the creation of "clear zones" within which a driver might recover control
Recommended publications
  • UDOT Supplemental Specifications
    UDOT Supplemental Specifications Table of Contents Section No. Title – Type 1. 01355 Environmental Compliance – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) 2. 01455 Material Quality Requirements – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) 3. 01456 Materials Dispute Resolution – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) 4. 01554 Traffic Control – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) 5. 01557S Maintenance of Traffic – Special Provision (04/19/16) 6. 01571 Temporary Environmental Controls – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) 7. 01721 Survey – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) 8. 02056 Embankment, Borrow, and Backfill – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) 9. 02221 Remove Structure and Obstruction – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) 10. 02316 Roadway Excavation – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) 11. 02610 Drainage Pipe – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) 12. 02701 Pavement Smoothness – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) 13. 02742S Project Specific Surfacing Requirements – Department Special Provision (06/30/15) 14. 02744S Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) – Materials Special Provision (06/30/15) 15. 02748 Prime Coat/Tack Coat – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) 16. 02765M Pavement Marking Paint – Materials Special Provision (10/05/15) 17. 02768 Pavement Marking Materials – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) 18. 02822 Right-of-Way Fence and Gate – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) 19. 02841 W-Beam Guardrail – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) 20. 02842 Delineators – Supplemental Specifications (01/01/17) 21. 02843 Crash Cushions and Barrier End Treatments – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) 22. 02844 Concrete Barrier – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) 23. 02890 Retroreflective Sheeting – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) 24. 02891 Traffic Sign – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) 25. 13557 Variable Message Sign – Supplemental Specification (01/01/17) Supplemental Specification 2017 Standard Specification Book SECTION 01355 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE PART 1 GENERAL 1.1 SECTION INCLUDES A.
    [Show full text]
  • 68: Protest, Policing, and Urban Space by Hans Nicholas Sagan A
    Specters of '68: Protest, Policing, and Urban Space by Hans Nicholas Sagan A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture in the Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley Committee in charge: Professor Galen Cranz, Chair Professer C. Greig Crysler Professor Richard Walker Summer 2015 Sagan Copyright page Sagan Abstract Specters of '68: Protest, Policing, and Urban Space by Hans Nicholas Sagan Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture University of California, Berkeley Professor Galen Cranz, Chair Political protest is an increasingly frequent occurrence in urban public space. During times of protest, the use of urban space transforms according to special regulatory circumstances and dictates. The reorganization of economic relationships under neoliberalism carries with it changes in the regulation of urban space. Environmental design is part of the toolkit of protest control. Existing literature on the interrelation of protest, policing, and urban space can be broken down into four general categories: radical politics, criminological, technocratic, and technical- professional. Each of these bodies of literature problematizes core ideas of crowds, space, and protest differently. This leads to entirely different philosophical and methodological approaches to protests from different parties and agencies. This paper approaches protest, policing, and urban space using a critical-theoretical methodology coupled with person-environment relations methods. This paper examines political protest at American Presidential National Conventions. Using genealogical-historical analysis and discourse analysis, this paper examines two historical protest event-sites to develop baselines for comparison: Chicago 1968 and Dallas 1984. Two contemporary protest event-sites are examined using direct observation and discourse analysis: Denver 2008 and St.
    [Show full text]
  • Literature Review- Resource Guide for Separating Bicyclists from Traffic
    Literature Review Resource Guide for Separating Bicyclists from Traffic July 2018 0 U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration NOTICE This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the use of the information contained in this document. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. The U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or manufacturers’ names appear in this report only because they are considered essential to the objective of the document. Technical Report Documentation Page 1. REPORT NO. 2. GOVERNMENT ACCESSION NO. 3. RECIPIENT'S CATALOG NO. FHWA-SA-18-030 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5. REPORT DATE Literature Review: Resource Guide for Separating Bicyclists from Traffic 2018 6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE 7. AUTHOR(S) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION Bill Schultheiss, Rebecca Sanders, Belinda Judelman, and Jesse Boudart (TDG); REPORT NO. Lauren Blackburn (VHB); Kristen Brookshire, Krista Nordback, and Libby Thomas (HSRC); Dick Van Veen and Mary Embry (MobyCON). 9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME & ADDRESS 10. WORK UNIT NO. Toole Design Group, LLC VHB 11. CONTRACT OR GRANT NO. 8484 Georgia Avenue, Suite 800 8300 Boone Boulevard, Suite 300 DTFH61-16-D-00005 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Vienna, VA 22182 12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS 13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD Federal Highway Administration Office of Safety 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Washington, DC 20590 14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE FHWA 15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES The Task Order Contracting Officer's Representative (TOCOR) for this task was Tamara Redmon.
    [Show full text]
  • Final Report Prepared for Albany, NY Joseph D. Tario Senior Project
    DEMONSTRATION OF ROUNDABOUT LIGHTING BASED ON THE ECOLUMINANCE APPROACH Final Report Prepared for THE NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Albany, NY Joseph D. Tario Senior Project Manager and THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Albany, NY Humayun Kabir Project Manager Prepared by THE LIGHTING RESEARCH CENTER , RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE 21 Union Street Troy, NY 12180 John D. Bullough and Mark S. Rea Principal Investigators Jeremy D. Snyder, Nicholas P. Skinner, Rosa I. Capó, Patricia Rizzo, Ute Besenecker Project Team Members Project Nos. 18233 / C-08-03 August 2012 NOTICE This report was prepared by the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the course of performing work contracted for and sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the New York State Department of Transportation (hereafter the "Sponsors"). The opinions expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect those of the Sponsors or the State of New York, and reference to any specific product, service, process, or method does not constitute an implied or expressed recommendation or endorsement of it. Further, the Sponsors and the State of New York make no warranties or representations, expressed or implied, as to the fitness for particular purpose or merchantability of any product, apparatus, or service, or the usefulness, completeness, or accuracy of any processes, methods, or other information contained, described, disclosed, or referred to in this report. The Sponsors, the State of New York, and the contractor make no representation that the use of any product, apparatus, process, method, or other information will not infringe privately owned rights and will assume no liability for any loss, injury, or damage resulting from, or occurring in connection with, the use of information contained, described, disclosed, or referred to in this report.
    [Show full text]
  • Draft Alternatives Development and Screening Report
    APPENDIX C Draft Evaluation of Managed-lane Concepts Draft Evaluation of Managed-lane Concepts Little Cottonwood Canyon Environmental Impact Statement S.R. 210 - Wasatch Boulevard to Alta Lead agency: Utah Department of Transportation April 3, 2020 This page is intentionally left blank. Contents 1.0 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Study Area for Managed Lanes .............................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Traffic Operations ................................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Roadway Context .................................................................................................................................... 3 2.0 Reversible-lane Concepts ................................................................................................................................. 4 2.1.1 Moveable Barrier ....................................................................................................................... 4 2.1.2 Reversible-lane Control Signals and Signs ............................................................................. 11 2.1.3 Other Reversible-lane Technologies ....................................................................................... 15 3.0 Peak-period Shoulder Lane Concept .............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • USER GUIDE for USLIMITS2
    USER GUIDE for USLIMITS2 December 2017 Contents Contents ..................................................................................................................................................... 1 Background ................................................................................................................................................. 2 Objective of this Guide ............................................................................................................................... 2 Accessing the Expert System....................................................................................................................... 3 Getting Started ........................................................................................................................................... 3 Revise/Update Existing Projects ................................................................................................................. 3 Creating New Projects ................................................................................................................................. 4 New Route .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Existing Route: Selecting a Route and Area Type ........................................................................................ 4 Input Variables .........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Healthy Street Pilot Projects
    ANN ARBOR HEALTHY STREET PILOT PROJECTS Summary of Findings January 14, 2021 Prepared by SmithGroup 1 HEALTHY STREET PILOT PROJECTS City Council passed R-20-158 “Resolution to Promote Safe Social Distancing Outdoors in Ann Arbor” on May 4, 2020. This resolution directed staff to (among other things) “develop recommendations and implementation strategies on comprehensive lane or street re-configurations (and report as soon as possible concerning these recommendations and strategies), including the possible cost of such options, the research conducted, and public input received, and other relevant data.” In response to this directive, City and Downtown Development Authority (DDA) staff gave a presentation on recommendations on June 15, 2020 along with two accompanying resolutions: “Resolution to Advance Healthy Streets in Downtown” and “Resolution to Advance Healthy Streets Outside Downtown.” These resolutions were passed by City Council on July 6, 2020. On August 27th the Ann Arbor DDA and the City of Ann Arbor began installing a series of healthy street pilot projects in the downtown area to provide space for safe physical distancing for bicycle and pedestrian travel. These projects, with the approval of City Council, reconfigured traffic lanes to accommodate temporary pedestrian and bicycle facilities, such as non-motorized travel lanes, two-way bikeways, and separated bike lanes. The pilot projects discussed in this report include the following locations: • Miller/Catherine Bikeway (from 1st Street to Division) • Division Street/Broadway Bikeway (from Packard to Maiden Lane) • S. Main Separated Bike Lanes (from William to Stadium) • State & North University Bikeway (from William Street to Thayer) • Packard Bike Lanes (from State to Hill) • East Packard Project (from Platt to Eisenhower) The pilot projects were designed and implemented in alignment with national guidance, City policies and plans, and the DDA’s adopted values for the People-Friendly Streets program.
    [Show full text]
  • Cable Barrier Submission
    Washington State Cable Median Barrier In-Service Study Doug McClanahan Washington State Department of Transportation PO Box 47329 Olympia Washington 98504-7329 Tel: (360) 705-7264 Fax: (360) 705-7330 [email protected] Richard B. Albin Washington State Department of Transportation PO Box 47329 Olympia Washington 98504-7329 Tel: (360) 705-7451 Fax: (360) 705-7330 [email protected] John C. Milton Washington State Department of Transportation PO Box 47329 Olympia Washington 98504-7329 Tel: (360) 705-7299 Fax: (360) 705-7330 [email protected] Submitted for presentation at the 83rd Annual Meeting of the National Transportation Research Board, Washington D.C., 2004. Estimated word count: 4080 text. November 2003 Washington State Cable Median Barrier In-Service Study Doug McClanahan Washington State Department of Transportation Richard B. Albin Washington State Department of Transportation John C. Milton Washington State Department of Transportation ABSTRACT Since 1989, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Engineers (AASHTO) Roadside Design Guide has contained information on a cable median barrier design that mounts the middle cable on the back side of the posts so that it can contain and redirect vehicles that strike the system from either side. Cable median barrier has been tested in accordance with NCHRP Report 350 Test Level 3. However, there are only a couple of studies that have been performed on the in-service performance of this system. This report documents Washington’s experience with cable median barrier by analyzing its initial installation cost, maintenance costs, maintenance experiences, and accident history before and after installation. The report is based on accident and maintenance report data associated with 24.4 total miles of cable median barrier located in three distinct locations along Interstate 5 (I-5).
    [Show full text]
  • Construction Guidelines for Wildlife Fencing and Associated Escape and Lateral Access Control Measures
    CONSTRUCTION GUIDELINES FOR WILDLIFE FENCING AND ASSOCIATED ESCAPE AND LATERAL ACCESS CONTROL MEASURES Requested by: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Standing Committee on the Environment Prepared by: Marcel P. Huijser, Angela V. Kociolek, Tiffany D.H. Allen, Patrick McGowen Western Transportation Institute – Montana State University PO Box 174250 Bozeman, MT 59717-4250 Patricia C. Cramer 264 E 100 North, Logan, Utah 84321 Marie Venner Lakewood, CO 80232 April 2015 The information contained in this report was prepared as part of NCHRP Project 25-25, Task 84, National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Transportation Research Board. SPECIAL NOTE: This report IS NOT an official publication of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, or The National Academies. Wildlife Fencing and Associated Measures Disclaimer DISCLAIMER DISCLAIMER STATEMENT The opinions and conclusions expressed or implied are those of the research agency that performed the research and are not necessarily those of the Transportation Research Board or its sponsors. The information contained in this document was taken directly from the submission of the author(s). This document is not a report of the Transportation Research Board or of the National Research Council. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study was requested by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and conducted as part of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Project 25-25 Task 84. The NCHRP is supported by annual voluntary contributions from the state Departments of Transportation. Project 25-25 is intended to fund quick response studies on behalf of the AASHTO Standing Committee on the Environment.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 1 Frequently Asked Questions
    SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT MANUAL SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 EDITION Chapter 1 Frequently Asked Questions 1.1 Applicability The implementation of BMPs applies to all businesses, residences and public agencies in Tacoma. 1.2 Pollutants of Concern The City is required to show progress in eliminating virtually all non-stormwater discharges to the storm drainage system. Only uncontaminated stormwater may be discharged to the City of Tacoma storm drainage system. Illicit discharges, intentional or unintentional, are not allowed and polluters may be subject to state and federal penalties. It is the property owner’s responsibility to keep pollutants from leaving a property and entering the City storm drainage system. Pollutants can be placed into several broad categories, as listed below. 1.2.1 pH The pH value of a substance is a relative measure of whether it is acidic or basic. Most aquatic species can only survive in neutral conditions. Sources that can contribute to a change in pH of stormwater and waterbodies include cement in concrete pouring, paving, and recycling operations; solutions from metal plating; chemicals from printing businesses and other industrial processes; and household cleaners such as bleaches and deck washes. 1.2.2 Total Suspended Solids This represents particulate solids such as eroded soil, heavy metal precipitates, and biological solids which can cause sedimentation in streams and turbidity in receiving surface waters. Sediments can destroy the desired habitat for fish and can impact drinking water supplies. Sediment may be carried to streams, lakes, or Puget Sound where they may be toxic to aquatic life and destroy habitat. 1.2.3 Oils and Greases Oils and greases can be either petroleum-based or food-related sources.
    [Show full text]
  • Smart Crosswalk™ Automatic Activation Bollards
    SPEC Sheet #3000 Features/Benefits: Aesthetically pleasing Optional audible sounds Smart Crosswalk™ Automatic Activation Easily installed on sidewalk Simple control panel installations Bollards 12 VDC operation (down to 9 VDC) Automatic Activation Series — Bollards Internally illuminated courtesy light LightGuard Systems Part Number: LGS-T3A Directional detecting infrared sensors Description: Automatic Pedestrian Detection Bollards Application Notes: Infrared sensors are housed inside the Bollards and are typically preset by our factory. However, adjustments to the alignment of the sensor modules may be changed in the field. The infrared light beams are projected to the respective receiver module. The Bollard system is directionally sensitive and is activated only when a pedestrian enters into the crosswalk zone not when exiting. A pair of Bollards are placed at each end of the crosswalk, usually four bollards per crosswalk. When pedestrians enter into a crosswalk zone they pass between the Bollards and the Smart Crosswalk™ system is automatically activated. Each Bollard has a 24/7 LED courtesy light making the Bollard visible at night or during inclement weather. In order to capture the most pedestrians crossing the street, it is recommended that the bollards be placed a few feet wider than the crosswalk. General Performance Specifications Parameter Value Maximum separation 60 Feet Power consumption 2.5 Watts Operating temperature -20° to 80°C Operating voltage 9 VDC to 15 VDC Color White (custom colors available) Courtesy light color Amber Size 42” Tall, 8” Diameter © 2016 LightGuard Systems®, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2292 Airport Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95403 | Phone (707) 542-4547 | Fax (707) 525-6333 SPEC Sheet #3000 Bollard Installation Guidelines INSTALLATION STEPS Step 1 Prior to installing Bollards, the proposed site should be inspected several times to observe the everyday habits of local citizens who utilize the crosswalk.
    [Show full text]
  • Research Spotlight
    RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION Bureau of Field Services Michigan Department of Transportation Research Spotlight Cable median barriers: Project Information REPORT NAME: Study of High- A cost-effective means Tension Cable Barriers on Michigan Roadways to save lives START DATE: October 2011 Median-crossover crashes are among the most hazardous events that can occur on freeways, often leading to serious injury or death. In recent REPORT DATE: October 2014 years, high-tension cable median barriers have emerged as a cost- RESEARCH REPORT NUMBER: effective alternative to conventional barriers in preventing such crashes. RC-1612 MDOT began installing them on state freeways in 2008. This research TOTAL COST: $223,895 project confirmed that cable median barriers are effective at reducing crossover crashes and improving freeway safety in Michigan, produced COST SHARING: 20% MDOT, 80% guidelines to help identify the best locations to install them, and FHWA through the SPR, Part II, developed content for public outreach materials explaining their benefit. Program MDOT Project Manager Problem Carlos Torres, P.E. Freeway median barriers made of concrete, steel Geometric Design Unit guardrail or high-tension Design Division cable are all effective at Michigan Department of preventing crossover Transportation crashes, but they can be 425 West Ottawa Street costly to install and main- Lansing, MI 48909 tain. Cable median barriers [email protected] have lower installation costs 517-335-2852 than concrete or guardrail Since their installation on selected Michigan highways beginning in alternatives, though they 2008, cable median barriers have reduced crossover crash rates in are more easily damaged these highway segments by 87 percent. by vehicle strikes, leading to higher maintenance and repair costs.
    [Show full text]