VEHICLE CRASH TESTS OF THE AESTHETIC, SEE-THROUGH CONCRETE BRIDGE RAIL WITH SIDEWALK, TYPE 80 SW

An aesthetic, see-through concrete bridge rail with sidewalk, Type 80SW, was built and tested in accordance with National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350. The Type 80SW is an 810 mm-tall, reinforced concrete barrier on a 200 mm-high sidewalk. The rail has 280 mm-high by 1620 mm-long gaps, 230 mm above the sidewalk surface. The rail is fitted with a single metal tube spanning the gap and a 250 mm-high handrail attached to the top of the concrete barrier. The barrier tested was 22.8 m-long and was constructed at the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Dynamic Test Facility in West Sacramento, California. A total of four crash tests were conducted under NCHRP Report 350 Test Level 4, two with 820 kg cars, one with a 2000 kg pickup truck and one with an 8000 kg single unit van truck. The first test of the 820 kg car showed a potential snagging problem on one of the vertical members. The potential problem with the first car led to a reduction in the vertical gap from 310 mm to 280 mm and a retest with a different car. The second test did not show snagging problems, with all results within the guidelines. The hood of the 2000 kg pickup snagged on a vertical handrail support tube during impact causing minor occupant compartment deformation. Since this bridge rail is intended for pedestrian use and alone does not provide for pedestrian protection, it should only be used in low speed applications of 70 km/h or less. In addition, the handrail has been found to be a snagging hazard at the higher speed. For these two reasons, the Type 80SW is recommended for approval on California highways requiring TL-2 bridge rails.

• Record URL:
  https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/15000/15700/15790/PB2000100910.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/research-innovation-system-information/documents/final-reports/80sw-final-report-a11y.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://merritt.cdlib.org/api/presign-file/ark%253A%252F13030%252Fm53257hh/1/producer%252F80sw-final-report-a11y.pdf
• 
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1196403031
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Research project title: Vehicle Crash Tests of the Type 70 and an Aesthetic, See-Through Concrete Bridge Rail and Transition Barrier.
• Corporate Authors:

  California Department of Transportation

  Office of Materials and Foundations, 5900 Folsom Boulevard
  Sacramento, CA  United States  95819

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Meline, R
  • Jewell, J
  • Peter, R
• Publication Date: 1999-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 93 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aesthetics; Bridge railings; Crash tests; Design; Pedestrians; Reinforced concrete; Sidewalks; Traffic speed
• Identifier Terms: NCHRP Report 350
• Uncontrolled Terms: Handrails
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Research; Safety and Human Factors; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00780278
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/CA/ESC-98/06 Part 2,, Rept No. 59-680600,, Final Report
• Contract Numbers: F94TL48
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Dec 16 2001 12:00AM