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

  • Innovative formwork solution to bridge construction
    February 20, 2012
    Innovative solutions are being applied to the construction of bridge structures as Patrick Smith reports. RMD Kwikform Iberica has engineered and supplied specialist formwork and falsework for construction of the much-needed Monteporreiro Viaduct in northern Spain. The viaduct will connect Monteporreiro with the Benedictine Monastery of San Bieito Lérez on the other side of the river, and in the process will ease congestion in the nearby town of Pontevedra, diverting some 5,000 vehicles/day.
  • Manitowoc MLC650 cranes keep Champlain Bridge on track
    October 28, 2016
    Two Manitowoc MLC650s are working on a project to replace the Champlain Bridge that spans the Saint Lawrence River in Montreal, Canada. The engineering consortium - Signature on the Saint Lawrence Construction (SSLC) – is assigned to the task. The capacity and reduced ground preparation made possible by the MLC650’s VPC-MAX attachment – as well as the ease of use of its Crane Control System (CCS) – are helping the team stay on schedule. The Champlain Bridge connects one of North America’s busiest road
  • Highway project in Texas required demolition equipment
    May 1, 2018
    A contractor in Texas has used equipment from Brokk to help out with a tricky highway project. Upgrading work has been carried out on a 6.4km-long stretch of I-35 in San Antonio between Loop 410 NE and Loop 410 S. This stretch of the route was carrying around 185,000 vehicles/day and was suffering increasing levels of congestion at peak periods. Travel times lengthened by 65% during rush hour, while ramps on opposite sides of the interstate caused additional congestion and safety issues. In one section, t
  • 2010 GRAA Winner Profiles
    April 12, 2012
    Our series of profiles on winning projects from the 2010 Global Road Achievement (GRAA) Awards continues with the Construction Methodology Category won by Barrier Systems/Utah Department of Transportation With any major road construction project, the disruption of traffic flow is of paramount concern for engineers, workers and travellers, particularly as it relates to increased traffic delays and the safety of those driving through the work zone. In the state of Utah, USA, work was recently completed on