A standard Texas traffic rail Type T202 27 in. high was strengthened and modified so that it could restrain and redirect school and intercity buses under 60 mph (96.6 km/hr) 15 degree angle impacts. A semi-elliptical extruded aluminum rail was mounted on cast aluminum posts to increase the rail height to 42 in. (107 cm). Three crash tests were conducted on the bridge rail. The first test was with a 66-passenger school bus weighing 19,690 lb (8,931 kg) and impacting the rail at 54.4 mph (87.6 km/hr) at a 15 degree angle. The bus was smoothly redirected. The second test was with an 1800 lb (817 kg) minicar with front wheel drive and impacting the rail at 59.4 mph (95.6 km/hr) at a 15 degree angle. The vehicle was redirected but the small front wheel did penetrate the 13 in. (.33 m) opening under the concrete beam and snagged a post. The third test was with an intercity bus weighing 32,080 lb (14,562 kg) and impacting the rail at 61.1 mph (98.3 km/hr) at a 15 degree angle. The intercity bus was restrained and smoothly redirected. These tests have shown that a simple and economical rail can redirect school and intercity buses at speeds up to 60 mph (96.6 km/hr) and 15 degree angle impact. The cost of this rail is estimated at about $41 per foot.
Bridge Rail to Restrain and Redirect Buses
1981
82 pages
Report
No indication
English
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