http://abc7.com/news/caltrans-suspends-installation-of-controversial-guardrails/392291/ (http://abc7.com/news/caltrans-suspends-installation-of-controversial-guardrails/392291/)
This is crazy the guardrail can slice cars according to report.
http://abc7.com/traffic/funeral-held-for-man-killed-in-crash-with-controversial-guardrail/393092/
http://abc7.com/traffic/football-star-dies-after-crashing-into-controversial-guardrail-system/384578/
http://abc7.com/news/guardrail-investigation-manufacturer-liable-for-fraud/371677/
crazy to think it took 4 stories from San Francisco and Los Angeles to get this story in the spotlight to expose the flaws of the system.
This story also came out on Inside Edition the other day.
Why doesn't Caltrans just replace them with K-Rails (Jersey Barrier)? Are guardrails less expensive than concrete or plastic K-Rails?
It's a real shame that the greedy manufacturer changed the design spec to save a few bucks and ruined what had been a very effective device for guard-rail ends. Various solutions have been around for this issue since the 1960's. They included sand-filled crash barrels and a tapering down of the rail to ground level known as the Texas-Twist.
By the time all the lawsuits are concluded with millions of dollars paid out in settlements the company will probably be driven out of business. Such a waste and totally unnecessary if corporate greed hadn't won out over good engineering.
Quote from: jfs1988 on November 16, 2014, 02:26:07 AM
Why doesn't Caltrans just replace them with K-Rails (Jersey Barrier)? Are guardrails less expensive than concrete or plastic K-Rails?
This issue is specifically about the guardrail end treatments. Even with a Jersey Barrier, you still have to protect the leading edge of the wall from a head-on with a vehicle. Similar treatments to those mentioned in the links are often used at the beginning of a wall (although true impact attenuators are probably more common).
BTW: Jersey Barriers, in general, are much more expensive compared to guardrail.
Quote from: SignBridge on November 16, 2014, 08:34:25 PM
Various solutions have been around for this issue since the 1960's. They included sand-filled crash barrels and a tapering down of the rail to ground level known as the Texas-Twist.
These solutions are typically either "temporary" solutions (sand barrels) or an older low-cost standard (Texas Twist).
The Texas Twist was common in many areas (I've seen a few older installs in Nevada); however, it has become increasingly rare. There have been some pretty awful accidents that launched errant vehicles in the air, due to the vehicle running up a twisted end treatment.
The Texas Twist is still very common in NY. Along I-490 just east of downtown Rochester, sand barrels were permanently used for over two decades where the guiderail on the left side of the exit ramps starts.
New York also uses box-beam barriers in some places. The ends are normally tapered to the ground. But, as was pointed out above, that tapered end treatment can create new hazards.