Crash Testing and Evaluation of Retrofit Bridge Railings and Transition (FHWA-RD-96-032)

An assortment of retrofit bridge railings and a retrofit transition were evaluated through full-scale crash testing. The assortment included the following five elements. First, a w-beam retrofit railing for a concrete baluster bridge railing (AASHTO performance level one). Second, a w-beam transition for the bridge railing above (NCHRP Report 350 test level two). Third, a double-tube pedestrian/bicycle railing mounted on the Illinois 2399-1 traffic railing (AASHTO performance level one). Fourth, A vandal protection fence on the New Jersey concrete safety shape bridge railing (AASHTO performance level two). Fifth, a thrie beam retrofit railing, a Delaware design, mounted on a 203-mm (8-inch) high safety curb (AASHTO performance level two and NCHRP Report 350 test level four). All of these designs demonstrated acceptable performance.