The Science Behind Road Barriers: How Materials and Design Keep You Safe
Road barriers are essential for highway safety systems, engineered to prevent vehicles from veering off the road or colliding with hazardous obstacles. These barriers are critical in reducing the severity of accidents, minimising injuries, and protecting both drivers and pedestrians.
In this article, the leading road safety equipment suppliers at Armco Superlite investigate how road barriers are designed and manufactured, the role of materials in their performance, and how technological advancements have contributed to better safety.
The Role of Road Barriers in Accident Prevention
The primary function of road barriers is to act as a protective shield between vehicles and dangerous areas, such as steep embankments, sharp curves, roadside obstacles, or oncoming traffic. Should drivers crash into a barrier, the aim is to stop the vehicle and decelerate it in a controlled manner. Properly designed road barriers absorb the vehicle’s kinetic energy, redirect the vehicle away from danger, and reduce the impact force. Without these safety features, road accidents would be far more devastating.
Materials Used in Road Barriers
The materials chosen for road barriers are crucial in determining their strength, durability, and ability to absorb crash energy. Over time, engineers have developed various types of barriers made from materials such as steel, concrete, and innovative composites like UV-stabilised polyethylene, each offering different levels of protection.
Steel Barriers: The Backbone of Highway Safety
Steel barriers, such as W-beam guardrails, are the most common barrier types found on highways, byways, and rural roads. These barriers are made from high-tensile steel, which provides the strength and flexibility needed to withstand the forces generated by a vehicle crash. Steel is often preferred due to its durability, relatively low cost, and ability to deform without breaking. When a vehicle impacts a steel barrier, the metal bends and absorbs energy, thereby reducing the severity of the crash and minimising damage to both the car and its occupants.
Concrete Barriers: Rigid Protection for High-Risk Areas
Concrete barriers are commonly used where vehicles must be shielded from significant hazards, such as dangerous construction zones or areas with high-speed, oncoming traffic. Concrete is much stiffer than steel; it doesn’t bend but redirects the vehicle’s trajectory. Although concrete barriers are highly effective at diverting impacts, they are typically used in linear situations.
Water and Sand-Filled Barriers: A Flexible Solution
A fairly recent innovation in road barrier technology is water- and sand-filled barriers. These barriers are engineered to be flexible, lightweight, and easy to deploy, providing additional safety benefits in areas with frequent changes in traffic flow or construction zones. When a driver impacts these barriers, the fluid (or sand) inside dissipates the crash energy, helping to slow down the vehicle gradually and reduce the impact force. While these barriers are not typically impact-resistant, they often prevent more serious injuries at slower speeds.
The Importance of Barrier Design and Installation
While the materials used in barriers are essential, the design and installation of these systems are just as important. Road barriers must be carefully engineered to resist the forces generated by different types of accidents. The design includes factors such as the height of the barrier, the spacing between posts, and the angle at which the barrier is installed.
The Importance of Regular Maintenance
Like all infrastructure, road barriers require regular maintenance to ensure they continue to perform optimally. While sand- and water-filled barriers need less maintenance, weather, accidents, and general wear and tear can cause others to weaken, bend, or rust. Steel guardrails can become less effective if they are not regularly inspected for damage, such as rust or structural defects. Routine inspections and maintenance are essential to identify any issues early and prevent them from compromising the barrier’s performance during an accident.
Do It Right: Partner With Armco Superlite
At Armco Superlite, we are internationally renowned for our road safety equipment. As a leading supplier of road safety products, we offer a range of superior-quality road barriers, traffic cones, delineators, and more. Before ordering for your next project, consult with us and arm yourself with Armco.