Transitioning End Terminal A TREND^tm for the Future

by Owen S. Denman, Energy Absorption Systems Inc, West, Sacramento, CA, USA,
William G. Krage, Energy Absorption Systems Inc, West, Sacramento, CA, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Effectiveness of Highway Safety Improvements

Abstract:

The highway engineer frequently starts from a position where an identified highway element is causing serious injuries or fatalities to motorists on the nation's highways. The solution must substantially reduce and preferably eliminate both the serious injuries and fatalities. The purpose of this paper is to present a solution to a very hazardous condition that exists on the nation's highways. To understand the problem and the solution that has been developed, it is necessary to describe the basic elements and operation of a roadside barrier. A typical roadside barrier that is used to protect errant motorists from hazards is the rigid barrier such as bridge rails and concrete safety shaped barriers. The end of a rigid barrier, presents a formidable hazard to an impacting vehicle. According to the 1977 AASHTO guide the only acceptable protection for the end of a rigid barrier is a system of barrier elements, similar to that shown here or a crash attenuator system.

Subject Headings: Highway barriers | Traffic accidents | Highway bridges | Traffic safety | Highway engineering | Concrete bridges | Vehicle impacts

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search