Citation

Lisle FN. Transp. Res. Rec. 1978; 693: 18-25.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1978, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper summarizes the results of a study of the performance of the timber barricade and a comparison of its characteristics and performance with those of the precast concrete traffic barrier. The study included (a) a traffic accident analysis of the construction zone on I-495 where the timber barricade was employed; (b) a comparison of the technical, operational, and economic feasibility of the timber barricade and the precast concrete traffic barrier; and (c) a review of the legal requirements for temporary barrier systems. The frequency of accident occurrence during construction on I-495 was approximately 119 percent higher than that before construction. Of the reported crashes during construction, 52.5 percent involved vehicle contact with the timber barricades. Of the vehicles involved in crashes with the barricades, 73.5 percent straddled or penetrated the barricades. Thus, on the I-495 site, the timber barricades were ineffective as positive barriers. From the technical, operational, and economic analyses, the precast concrete traffic barrier appeared to be superior to the timber barricade. Since the completion of this study, the Federal Highway Administration has banned the use of the timber barricade as a positive barrier on any federal or federal-aid project.