Caltrans and the guardrail issue

[bing101]

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.

[jfs1988]

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?

[SignBridge]

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.

[roadfro]

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.

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.

[vdeane]

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.

[SignBridge]

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.