Bridge Barriers and Parapets
Bridge Barriers and Parapets in Relation to the Crash Testing Standards
This paper aims to review and compare the information on the function, level of service, design and specific types of bridge barriers and parapets used under the two most widely recognized and accepted crash-testing standards viz American NCHRP Report 350 and European Union EN 1317. This will help to promote discussion and clarify issues on the use of traffic barriers associated with bridges in different countries where such standards does not exist. Reference to research documents and codes is made within the text.
The American NCHRP Report 350 and the European Union EN 1317 are currently the two most widely recognized and accepted crash-testing standards. The American Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issues letters of approval for bridge rails that comply with NCHRP 350 and maintains a website of all approved bridge rails. At this stage, a similar central repository of Comité European de Normalisation (CEN) approved bridge rails does not appear to exist. It is understood that CEN stipulates that compliant systems have to be crash tested to the requirements of EN 1317 but does not issue certificates of compliance. Without such a system, it would be difficult for a road authority to verify CEN compliance of any proposed barrier system.
The American NCHRP Report 350 and the European Union EN 1317 are currently the two most widely recognized and accepted crash-testing standards. The American Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issues letters of approval for bridge rails that comply with NCHRP 350 and maintains a website of all approved bridge rails. At this stage, a similar central repository of Comité European de Normalisation (CEN) approved bridge rails does not appear to exist. It is understood that CEN stipulates that compliant systems have to be crash tested to the requirements of EN 1317 but does not issue certificates of compliance. Without such a system, it would be difficult for a road authority to verify CEN compliance of any proposed barrier system.
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NBM&CW October 2011
