AESTHETICALLY PLEASING CONCRETE COMBINATION PEDESTRIAN-TRAFFIC BRIDGE RAIL - TEXAS TYPE C411. FINAL REPORT. REVISED EDITION

Research has developed railings to withstand impact loads from vehicles of ever-increasing size; however, aesthetic considerations have been overshadowed by safety and structural requirements. The objective of this research study was to develop aesthetically pleasing, structurally sound railings that can serve as alternative railings in city or urban areas. This report presents a new concrete combination pedestrian-traffic bridge rail--Texas Type C411. This bridge rail was constructed of reinforced concrete 42 in. high by 12 in. thick and contains 6 in. wide by 28 in. high openings at 18 in. center-to-center longitudinal spacing. The combination pedestrian-traffic bridge rail was located on a 6 ft wide sidewalk with 8 in. high curb separating it from the traffic. The bridge rail was developed for use on urban streets where the speed limit would be 45 mph or less. Service Level 1 of NCHRP 230 and Performance Level 1 of the 1989 AASHTO Guide Specifications for Bridge Railings were considered inappropriate. NCHRP Project C22-7, "Update of Roadside Safety Hardware Crash Test Specifications," and NCHRP Project 12-33, "Development of a Comprehensive Bridge Specification and Commentary," were seriously considering a different test matrix at the time these tests were conducted. It was decided to use a 4,500 lb car at 45 mph and 25 deg impact angle and a 1,900 lb car at 45 mph and 20 deg impact angle. The new C411 bridge rail performed very well under these two crash tests. The crash test results easily met the usual safety evaluation criteria. The C411 should be safe for use on low speed, 45 mph or less, roadways.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Research study title: Aesthetically Pleasing Bridge Rails.
• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System, 1600 E Lamar Boulevard
  Arlington, TX  United States  76011

  Texas State Department of Highways & Public Transportation

  Transportation Planning Division, P.O. Box 5051
  Austin, TX  United States  78763

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Hirsch, T J
  • Buth, C E
  • Campise, W
• Publication Date: 1991-2

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 63 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aesthetics; Bridge railings; Crash tests; Crashes; Design; Impact; Pedestrian safety; Performance evaluations; Reinforced concrete; Speed; Testing; Traffic safety; Urban areas; Vehicle weight
• Uncontrolled Terms: Impact angle; Impact speed
• Old TRIS Terms: Test results
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Research; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00611858
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/TX-91/1185-3F, Res Rept 1185-3F, TTI: 2-5-89/90-1185
• Contract Numbers: Study 2-5-89/90-1185
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 31 1991 12:00AM