CRASH TEST AND EVALUATION OF A STIFFENED METAL BEAM GUARD FENCE MEDIAN BARRIER FOR USE AROUND LUMINAIRE SUPPORTS

A successful full-scale vehicle crash test was conducted on a State Department of Highways and Public Transportation standard Metal Beam Guard Fence (MBGF) median barrier which had been modified to strengthen it in the vicinity of a median mounted luminaire support. Under similar crash tests the standard MBGF would have deflected laterally 1 ft (0.30 m) or more permitting the vehicle to snag or knock down the luminaire pole. The modifications to the median barrier consisted of widening the back to back spacing of the 10 gage "W" sections from 6 in. (15 cm) to 18 in. (46 cm) in a length of 18 ft 9 in. (5.72 m) in order to provide space for the luminaire pole. The 6B8.5 posts were strengthened by increasing the weld metal on the base and by adding additional posts in the transition. The transition was impacted by a 4720 lb (1935 kg) vehicle at an angle of 15 degrees and speed of 61.9 mph (99.6 km/hr). The vehicle was smoothly redirected without snagging or knocking down the luminaire pole. The barrier deflection was nil.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Research sponsored by the Texas State Department of Highways and Public Transportation; and performed in cooperation in cooperation with DOT, FHWA.
• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System, 1600 E Lamar Boulevard
  Arlington, TX  United States  76011
• Authors:
  • Marguis, E L
  • Hirsch, T J
• Publication Date: 1975-11

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 31 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash tests; Crashes; Guardrails; Luminaires; Median barriers; Posts; Testing; Vertical supports; Weld metal
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Research;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00129047
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: RR 146-13F Final Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: 2-10-68-146
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 10 1976 12:00AM