REVISION OF AUSTROADS SAFETY BARRIERS GUIDELINES

This paper presents a summary of the improvements that are being made in the revision of the Austroads "Safety Barriers" (1987) guide for the provision of safety barriers. The use of guard fencing is a key means by which roadside hazards are managed safely. To assist road designers and road safety practitioners, in 1987 the National Association of Australian State Road Authorities (NAASRA), published a guide for the provision of safety barriers. Since that time major developments have taken place in improving the design of barriers and crash cushion systems worldwide. New types of barriers, such as improved concrete barrier profiles, flexible systems incorporating wire ropes, improved terminals and impact attenuators, and designs for transitions have also come into use in many areas. Furthermore, some barrier treatments once thought to provide protection have since proven themselves to be hazardous (e.g. turned down end treatments, which can result in impacting vehicles 'vaulting' the barrier). Methods for assessing the need for safety barriers, including more detailed clear zone requirements, and issues relating to pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists have also emerged since 1987. The revision of the 1987 Austroads guide has involved a literature review to identify best practice worldwide and a summary of current practice across Australasian road authorities.

Language

  • English

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00964396
  • Record Type: Publication
  • ISBN: 087659229X
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Oct 21 2003 12:00AM