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Title:

COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF GUARDRAIL-BRIDGERAIL TRANSITION IMPROVEMENTS: DOUBLE W-BEAM VERSUS DECREASED POST SPACING

Accession Number:

00331275

Record Type:

Component

Availability:

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Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03611981

Abstract:

A study of the performance characteristics of two guardrail-bridgerail transition systems is reported. The two systems were the American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) stiff-post system and the Nebraska Department of Roads (NDR) "double W-beam" system. The AASHTO system provides larger-sized posts on reduced spacings, whereas the NDR system uses another length of guardrail alongside the face of the existing guardrail with uniform 1.01-m (6-ft 3-in) post spacings. The NDR system eliminates the difficulty of increasing the stiffness of existing systems because of the concrete bridge abutments and/or wing walls that restrict the placement of additional posts on reduced spacings. The objective of the study, which was limited in scope, was to use the BARRIER VII computer program to compare the cost-effectiveness of the two systems. The study considered the effects of impacts with the guardrail transitions by two different-sized automobiles under all possible combinations of speed and angle. The findings show that a reasonable doubt exists as to the cost-effectiveness of the AASHTO system under a wide range of impact conditions. Specifically, the stiff-post system produced more injury-type accidents and resulted in larger exit angles, which increased concern about secondary collisions with other vehicles. The structural adequacy of the guardrail-bridgerail connection in both systems was the single most important design element. (Authors)

Supplemental Notes:

Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Safety Appurtenances. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved

Monograph Accession #:

01411589

Authors:

Post, Edward R
McCoy, Patrick T
Wipf, Terry J
Ruby, Richard J

Pagination:

pp 37-43

Publication Date:

1980

Serial:

Transportation Research Record

Issue Number: 769
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISSN: 0361-1981

Conference:

59th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board

Location: Washington District of Columbia, United States
Date: 1980-1-21 to 1980-1-25

ISBN:

0309031133

Media Type:

Print

Features:

Figures (3) ; References (11) ; Tables (2)

Old TRIS Terms:

Subject Areas:

Design; Highways; Research; Safety and Human Factors; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure

Files:

TRIS, TRB

Created Date:

Oct 28 1981 12:00AM

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