Crash Barriers: Everything you need to know
Crash Barriers exist to protect people and property from damage in a range of scenarios. Anyone who has been near a road has almost definitely encountered one before, and some among us may even owe our lives to them. Crash Barriers are also used for protection in many other locations and situations other than on Highways. In this article we are taking a top-level view at what they are, how they work, and where you're likely to encounter them.
What are Crash Barriers?
Crash Barriers reduce the damage from the impact of a moving vehicle, generally by the use of a horizontal beam mounted on vertical posts. They can offer protection to the occupants of the impacting vehicle or whatever is behind the barrier such as a building, racking, machinery or people, such as a work force or members of the public.
How do they work?
Crash Barriers absorb the impact of an oncoming vehicle and they do so following one of two principles. Some systems use a strong, more rigid posts to transfer the load to the posts as well as the horizontal beams so they do not deflect so much under the impact. This type is used when it is important to stop the vehicle as soon as possible before it hits what is being protected, for example when the barrier is close to a structure or fall. Other types use weaker posts that give way and the load is mainly transferred to the horizontal beam meaning it deflects more but is safer for the occupants of the vehicle. This type is more commonly found on high-speed roads, in situations where there is more room for the crash barrier to deflect.
Where are they Commonly Found?
Crash barriers are routinely installed on public highways & bridges, as you would expect, and there are a wide range of types used. These barriers are specifically designed for Highways use and are tested by the manufacturers to prove that they offer the protection required by the road designer, who will have considered the type and size of the vehicles using the road, the speed they are travelling and the amount of deflection they can allow.
Less often thought about is the thousands of miles of crash barrier around the world that is installed in non-highway situations, that is of equal importance in the protection it offers to infrastructure and people. Crash barrier is used in car parks, factories, warehouses, yards, docks and airports. In fact, anywhere that there are moving vehicles and plant you will often see a crash barrier installed.
Why are they necessary?
Crash Barriers are ultimately necessary to prevent injury or loss of life to the occupants and those around moving vehicles. These barriers can also be used to prevent workplace accidents, such as falling from high ledges and also to protect assets such as buildings and machinery.