Skip to main content

Energy absorbing safety barrier

Barrier Systems says that its new tensioned barrier offers high energy absorbing capabilities in head-on collisions. The company says that this is because the X-Tension technology is a tension-based solution rather than compression-based. The new range delivers good performance in these applications, as energy is absorbed with resistance at the impact head rather than being transferred down the rail as occurs with other systems. Even high-angle (15° during testing) impacts on the nose resulted in the vehicl
March 9, 2012 Read time: 3 mins

165 Barrier Systems says that its new tensioned barrier offers high energy absorbing capabilities in head-on collisions.

The company says that this is because the X-Tension technology is a tension-based solution rather than compression-based. The new range delivers good performance in these applications, as energy is absorbed with resistance at the impact head rather than being transferred down the rail as occurs with other systems. Even high-angle (15° during testing) impacts on the nose resulted in the vehicle being redirected and controlled rather than passing to the backside of the terminal at high speed. For side impacts, tension in the rail is transferred by cables to the foundation anchor to provide containment and redirection.

The company also has an ABSORB 350 product that is non-redirective and is designed as a gating crash cushion. The system offers a reliable and easy method of protecting the ends of concrete barriers and can be attached to the end of permanent or portable concrete barriers, without the need to anchor the system to the roadway surface.

At 610mm wide, it is suited for narrow areas where road and workspace is limited. ABSORB 350 is easy to install and is easier to restore after an impact than other non-redirective, gating crash cushions. Tests show the product meets the rigorous requirements of NCHRP Report 350, Test Levels 2 (70 km/h) and 3 (100 km/h). This system is designed for use on narrow hazards for exits, wide medians, edge of road locations and locations.

Meanwhile the BarrierGuard 800 is a rapidly deployable Steel Safety Barrier for use in work zones or as a permanent installation. The system offers extremely attractive costs compared to portable concrete barrier since 180m can be delivered to a job site in one truck load. The system is also quick to assemble on site due to its connection system which uses only one bolt, allowing a crew of three to install up to 300m/hour. Featuring a step profile the barrier can redirect errant vehicles while causing little damage to either alnd also meets the tough NCHRP Report 350, Test Level 4.

Lastly, the firm's PaveGuard system offers continuous positive barrier protection during paving operations for workers, motorists and equipment. The system is on wheels and is pulled as the project advances and can be attached to a vehicle when it has to be moved. The system can be loaded and unloaded without the need for special equipment and does not require electrical power or sophisticated control systems.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Workzone vests get wired for sound, thanks to Virginia Tech university
    December 11, 2015
    Researchers at Virginia Tech university in the United States have put small radio sensors on or inside vests to allows cars to “talk” to one another, roadside infrastructure, and personal electronics such as mobile phones. If a collision is about to occur between a vehicle and a worker, the vest can warn the worker in a matter of seconds about the impending crash. Likewise, the motorist will receive a dashboard notification.The instantaneous alert is possible by short-range communication, according to a sta
  • Doka formwork rises above the Orinoco River in Venezuela
    July 8, 2016
    Taking a road and rail link across one of the biggest rivers in South America, together with its swamps and flood-plain, called for a new crossing of truly superlative dimensions. Two 135.5m pylons for the third bridge across the Orinoco River, at Caicara del Orinoco, in Venezuela took shape with a formwork solution and automatic climbing technology from Doka. The bridge has an overall length of just over 11km and the main bridge is nearly 2.3km long with the roadway 55m above the river. The two ident
  • Turkey’s important new tunnel will improve transport links
    May 18, 2016
    Major advances in tunnelling will allow cars to travel underneath the Bosphorus sea channel in Turkey's Istanbul next year when its third road link is opened, writes Adrian Greeman. The Bosphorus is redolent with history and strategic significance. As one of the world's most significant sea connections, linking the landlocked Black Sea to the Marmara Sea and the Mediterranean beyond, it has been vitally important for trade and crucial for military access. It is also one of the biggest obstacles for land tra
  • Cut and cover consolidation
    July 10, 2012
    Foundation specialist Forasol has developed an innovative technique for anchor drilling that is improving ground consolidation on road projects in Switzerland. The technique has been widely used on a number of highway projects in the country, including construction of a new 1.3km long cut-and-cover trench for the A9 highway in south western Switzerland.