Accident records were compiled over a 5-year period (1971-75) to assess performance of lightweight-post guiderail and median barrier, slip-base sign posts, frangible-base luminaire supports, and impact attenuation devices. In 1969, rail mounting heights on New York's barriers were increased to 27 in. to the center of the rail element, in an effort to reduce barrier penetration. While this height was not uniformly achieved on the barriers monitored, the results of 392 accidents indicate good performance. Injury rates were very low, with only 8 serious injuries and no fatalities recorded. Penetration occurred in only 4 percent of midsection accidents -- a significant reduction over the rate recorded in an earlier study of light-post barriers. Barrier length damaged was found to be inversely related to stiffness, as expected, but barrier types differed little in accident repair costs. Based on only 10 accidents, slip-base sign supports appeared to be performing satisfactorily. Performance of aluminum frangible-base luminaire supports was also excellent, based on 78 accidents. A total of 393 impacts were recorded on four types of attenuators, resulting in only 6 severe injuries and 1 fatality. From the number and types of accidents recorded, it is apparent that attenuators have been very successful in reducing the potential for serious injuries and fatalities when vehicles collide with fixed objects.


    Zugriff

    Zugriff über TIB

    Verfügbarkeit in meiner Bibliothek prüfen


    Exportieren, teilen und zitieren