00264780

Monograph

http://onlinepubs.trb.org...bs/nchrp/nchrp_rpt_150.pdf

The research which was concerned with the safety aspects of curb design, consisted of full-scale tests in combination with computer simulations applied to investigate vehicle behavior upon impact with a series of commonly used curbs. The results provide a basis for judgement on the selection of locations where curbs can be used for safety, and can be employed in selecting designs where curb use seems appropriate. Details are described of the tests in which the Highway Vehicle-Object Simulation Model (HVOSM) was used, and the full-scale tests and parameter study simulations which were used to determine the effect of a curb on such vehicle responses as redirection, trajectory, path, roll and pitch, and accelerations. It was found that curbs 6 in. high or less and of configurations similar to that of AASHTO curb types C, E, or H will not redirect a vehicle at speeds above 45 mph. and encroachment angles greater than approximately 45 deg. Curbs similar to types C, E and H can produce under certain speed angle impact conditions, vehicle ramping to a height at which the vehicle will vault a 27-in. guardrail located behind the curb. Curbs 6 in. high can cause a vehicle to impact a 27-in. guardrail (12-in. W-bean at 2-ft offset) at a point below the lower edge of the rail face, thus creating the possibility of snagging. Impacting curbs 6 in. high or less can be reasonably expected to produce minor or no injury. Curbs 12 in. high and of Type X configuration appear to have satifactory redirection capabilities for impact conditions of 45 mph or less at angles of less than 12.5 deg. This type curb however, is not satisfactory for installation where 50-mph or greater operating speeds are expected. HVOSM correlated well with full-scale test results. Based on this correlation, HVOSM is considered to be validated for curb impacts and provides a useful tool with which to investigate a variety of curbs under the expected range of impact conditions.

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NCHRP Report 150

150 p.

1974

NCHRP Report

Appendices (5) ; Figures; Tables

Acceleration (Mechanics); Behavior; Curbs; Design; Geometry; Guardrails; Hazards; Impacts; Information processing; Location; Obstructions (Navigation); Safety; Simulation; Testing; Trajectory; Vehicle trajectories; Vehicles; Walkways

Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Feb 11 1975 12:00AM