Conduct MASH Test Level 3 (TL-3) Evaluations of Concrete Barriers on Roadside Slopes
Concrete barriers are designed and crash tested for placement on flat terrains. In-field installations of concrete barriers are sometimes placed on slopes adjacent to roadways. By placing the barrier on a slope, the effective height of the barrier that engages an errant vehicle may be reduced since the vehicle may be airborne as it contacts the barrier on a downward slope. Consequently, the barrier may not be able to safely contain and redirect the vehicle. The research team will evaluate the performance of Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT's) 32-in tall F-shape and 42-inch tall single slope barrier when placed on roadside or median slopes of up to 4H:1V. The research team will develop guidance for placement of these barriers using finite element simulation analysis and full-scale crash testing. The guidance will determine the maximum allowable slope for each barrier type and any placement offsets required from the edge of the roadway or from the bottom of the ditch. The research team will evaluate the performance of the barriers using impact conditions and evaluation criteria in the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) for Test Level 3 for longitudinal barriers.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $489145
-
Contract Numbers:
0-7223
-
Sponsor Organizations:
Texas Department of Transportation
125 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX United States 78701-2483 -
Project Managers:
Odell, Wade
-
Performing Organizations:
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Texas A&M University System
3135 TAMU
College Station, TX United States 77843-3135 -
Principal Investigators:
Sheikh, Nauman
- Start Date: 20240901
- Expected Completion Date: 20260831
- Actual Completion Date: 0
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Barriers (Roads); Crash tests; Finite element method; Slopes
- Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01928241
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Texas Department of Transportation
- Contract Numbers: 0-7223
- Files: RIP, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Aug 23 2024 12:30PM