Guide For Selecting Locating And Designing Traffic Barriers Volume I Guidelines Final Report

The guide presents the results of a synthesis of current information on the various elements of traffic barrier systems, including warrants, structural and strength characteristics, maintenance characteristics, selection criteria, and placement data. Criteria on these elements are summarized for each of the four basic barrier types, namely, roadside barriers (heretofore commonly referred to as guardrails), median barriers, bridge rails and crash cushions. A chapter on a cost-effective selection procedure is included, primarily to provide the highway engineer with an alternate approach to the more conventional means of establishing barrier need and a barrier selection if warranted.