The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Brifen TL-4 and Trinity CASS median cable barrier systems in preventing cross-median collisions on sections of I-64, I-71, and I-265 (Brifen system) and I-265 (Trinity system) in Jefferson County and on KY 4 (Brifen system) in Fayette County. An effort was made to identify crashes which involved a vehicle crossing a median. Using specific logic to identify this type of crash, 392 crashes were identified for the five-year period of 2001 through 2005. Using crash and mileage data resulted in an average of 0.28 crossover crashes per mile in the five years and an average of 0.05 fatal crossover crashes per mile. Using a statistical test, critical numbers of 0.35 cross-median crashes per mile per year for crashes of any severity and 0.20 fatal cross-median crashes per year were recommended as guidelines. The study involved an evaluation of 325 crashes with a police report obtained for 185 of the crashes. The cable system was found to successfully redirect the vehicles. A wide range of types of vehicles impacted the cable at consistently high speed. In only three crashes (0.9 percent) did a vehicle continue through the cable system and into the opposing travel lanes. The successful performance of cable barrier, along with the ability to repair damage with no disruption of traffic, warrants expanded use of this type of median barrier. The analysis of crash data in Kentucky should be used to identify locations where this type of median barrier would be cost effective.


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    Title :

    Evaluation of Median Barrier Safety Issues


    Publication date :

    2008


    Size :

    86 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Heavy Vehicle Median Barrier

    C. E. Buth / R. M. Olson / J. R. Morgan et al. | NTIS | 1986


    Washington State Cable Median Barrier

    Albin, Richard B. / Lance Bullard, D. / Menges, Wanda L. | Transportation Research Record | 2001


    Washington State Cable Median Barrier

    Albin, Richard B. | Online Contents | 2001



    Molded Fiberglass Narrow Median Barrier

    R. M. Riddell | NTIS | 1974