Evaluation of a Modified Three Cable Guardrail Adjacent to Steep Slope

The three cable guardrail system is most commonly used to protect motorists from roadside slopes. Due to the fact that the system is limited to sites where relatively large barrier displacement is acceptable, concern arises when the system must be placed close to steep roadside slopes. The objective of this study was to evaluate a three cable carrier system placed adjacent to 1.5H:1V slopes. The three cable system in this test utilized quarter-post spacing. In addition, the offset from the slope break point was 1,219 mm (4 ft.) One full-scale crash test, a 2,032-kg (4,481-lb) pickup truck impacting at a speed of 99.1 km/h (61.6 mph) and at an angle of 23.6 degrees, was conducted and reported in accordance with the requirements specified in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report Number 350, Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features. Based on the results and analysis of the full scale test, it was determined that the three cable guardrail system with quarter-post spacing and 1,219mm (4ft) offset from the slope break point performed adequately according to NCHRP Report Number 350 TL-3 requirements.

  • Record URL:
  • Record URL:
  • Corporate Authors:

    University of Nebraska, Lincoln

    Midwest Roadside Safety Facility
    2200 Vine Street, Whittier Building
    Lincoln, NE  United States  68583-0853

    Nebraska Department of Roads

    Midwest States Regional Pooled Fund Program, 1500 Nebraska Highway 2
    Lincoln, NE  United States  68509-4759

    Federal Highway Administration

    1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Authors:
    • Terpsma, Ryan J
    • Polivka, Karla A
    • Sicking, Dean L
    • Rohde, John R
    • Reid, John D
    • Faller, Ronald K
  • Publication Date: 2008-3-4

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Edition: Final Report
  • Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 91p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01099460
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: TRP-03-192-08, RPFP-03-04
  • Contract Numbers: SPR-3(017)
  • Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: May 21 2008 7:08AM