Impact Performance Assessment of Roadside Safety Appurtenances

This project summary report summarizes the research performed in Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Project 0-5526. A recommended update to NCHRP Report 350 (Update) was recently developed under NCHRP Project 22-14(02), ¿Improved Procedures for Safety-Performance Evaluation of Roadside Features.¿ This document contains revised criteria for safety-performance evaluation of virtually all roadside safety features. Changes being proposed as part of the new guidelines include new design test vehicles, revised test matrices, and revised impact conditions. An evaluation of Texas roadside safety devices was conducted to help assess the impact of adopting the Update on current hardware. Crash test results, engineering analyses, and engineering judgment formed the basis of the hardware evaluation. Categories of roadside features that were considered under the project include guard fence, median barriers, bridge rails, transitions, breakaway sign supports, precast work zone barriers, and work zone traffic control devices. Proprietary devices were not considered. Researchers created a prioritized list to assist TxDOT personnel in the Bridge, Design, and Traffic Operations Divisions in developing projects under which the additional testing and evaluation required to bring Texas roadside safety hardware into compliance with the Update can be accomplished. The prioritization of hardware will help ensure efficient use of resources and provide a relatively seamless transition to the Update. Further, the performance information provided by this project should assist TxDOT personnel in understanding the implications of adopting the Update as it progresses through the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) review and publication process.