Highway Guardrails are Essential to Highway Safety

11 Sep

Highway guardrails are safety barriers installed along roads, highways, and bridges to prevent vehicles from veering off the roadway, especially in dangerous areas like curves, steep slopes, or near bodies of water. Guardrails are essential for protecting drivers and passengers by reducing the severity of crashes and preventing vehicles from colliding with hazardous obstacles. 

Types of Highway Guardrails:

  1. W-Beam Guardrail:

    • The most common type of guardrail, consisting of a "W" shaped steel beam mounted on vertical posts.
    • Designed to absorb the impact energy of a vehicle and redirect it back onto the roadway in a controlled manner.
    • Widely used on highways, curves, and medians due to its effectiveness in minimizing the severity of crashes.
  2. Thrie-Beam Guardrail:

    • Similar to W-beam but with an additional corrugation, providing greater strength and resistance.
    • Used in areas where higher impact resistance is needed, such as bridges or steep embankments.
  3. Box-Beam Guardrail:

    • A box-shaped beam that provides a lower profile compared to W-beam or Thrie-beam guardrails.
    • Often used in areas where visibility and aesthetics are important, like urban environments.
  4. Cable Guardrail (Wire Rope Safety Barrier):

    • Consists of high-tension steel cables mounted on posts.
    • Known for flexibility and ability to absorb the impact of vehicles, especially in large median areas.
    • Often used in wide-open spaces and medians where redirection of the vehicle is preferred.
  5. Concrete Barrier:

    • Solid concrete barriers often used on highways and bridges.
    • Highly effective in preventing vehicles from crossing into oncoming traffic.
    • Also used as temporary barriers in construction zones.
  6. End Terminals:

    • Specially designed ends for guardrails that absorb impact and prevent the rail from spearing a vehicle during a crash.
    • Energy-absorbing end terminals, like the "flared" or "buried" designs, help dissipate impact energy.
four kinds of highway guardrail includes W, thrie and box beam guardrail and cable barrier

Applications of Highway Guardrails:

  1. Roadside Protection:

    • Installed on the outer edges of highways to prevent vehicles from running off the road and into dangerous areas like steep embankments, water bodies, or cliffs.
  2. Median Barriers:

    • Placed in the center of highways to prevent vehicles from crossing over into oncoming traffic, reducing the risk of head-on collisions.
  3. Bridge Railings:

    • Used along the sides of bridges to prevent vehicles from falling off the structure in the event of an accident.
  4. Curves and Ramps:

    • Guardrails are often installed along sharp curves, ramps, or exits where the risk of losing control is higher due to speed or sudden turns.
  5. Mountain Roads:

    • Used in mountainous or hilly regions where the roadway runs alongside steep drop-offs. Guardrails act as a critical safety measure in preventing vehicles from falling down slopes.
  6. Construction Zones:

    • Temporary barriers are often used in road construction zones to protect workers and keep traffic flowing safely through restricted areas.

W beam guardrail7

Thrie-Beam vs. W-Beam: Choosing the Right Guardrail

When deciding between Thrie-Beam and W-Beam guardrails, several factors should be considered:

  • Traffic Volume and Speed: Thrie-Beam guardrails are more suitable for high-speed roadways and locations with heavy traffic, as they offer superior containment capabilities for larger vehicles. W-Beam guardrails, on the other hand, are ideal for areas with moderate traffic and lower speeds.
  • Roadway Design and Geometry: Consider the curvature and alignment of the road when choosing between guardrail options. Thrie-Beam guardrails are better suited for curved roads and sections with irregular geometry, while W-Beam guardrails are more adaptable to straight road segments.
  • Budget and Longevity: Thrie-Beam guardrails generally have a higher upfront cost than W-Beam guardrails. However, the enhanced durability of Thrie-Beam guardrails can result in cost savings in the long run due to reduced maintenance and replacement needs.
Thrie-Beam Guardrails

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