Initial Assessment of Compliance of Texas Roadside Safety Hardware with Proposed Update to NCHRP Report 350

Guidelines for testing and evaluating the impact performance of roadside safety features are periodically updated to stay current with improvements in technology and changes in the vehicle fleet and impact conditions. NCHRP Report 350, which contains current recommendations for testing and evaluating roadside safety devices, was published in 1993. Research to develop an update to NCHRP Report 350 (Update) has recently been completed under NCHRP Project 22-14(02). Changes being proposed as part of the new guidelines include new design test vehicles, revised test matrices, and revised impact conditions. These changes will likely necessitate the re-evaluation of the impact performance of some existing roadside features. Under this project, researchers performed an initial assessment regarding the ability of Texas roadside safety hardware to comply with the Update. THe impact performance assessment was based on crash test results, engineering analyses, and engineering judgement. Categories of roadside appurtenances evaluated include guard fence, median barriers, bridge rails, precast work zone barriers, breakaway sign supports, and work zone traffic control devices. Proprietary devices such as crash cushions and guardrail end treatments were not considered. The results of the performance assessment were used to prioritize additional testing and evaluation required to bring Texas roadside safety features into compliance with the new impact performanceuidelines. This prioritization of hardware will help ensure efficient use of resources and provide a relatively seamless transition to the Update.