A good reminder from this video that the end of a barrier is often the most hazardous part of the entire system.
If a vehicle hits the nose of a barrier without an appropriate end treatment, the outcomes can be catastrophic:
- Spearing
- Vaulting
- Abrupt occupant deceleration
- Vehicle rollover
- Vehicle redirection into workers or opposing traffic
That’s why terminating barriers correctly is hugely important in work zones.
One of the challenges is that many “traditional” permanent barrier terminals are not well suited to temporary traffic management environments. Systems such as Gating Redirective Energy Absorbing End Terminals are often too long, may require embedding into pavement or soil, and many are only designed to be struck from one direction.
Because of this, work zones commonly rely on:
- Crash cushions / impact attenuators
- Gating Non Redirective End Treatments
These systems are specifically intended to manage impacts at the end of the barrier system where the risk is highest.
Across Australia there are a range of accepted systems used by road authorities.
Redirective crash cushions / impact attenuators include:
- QuadGuard M10 CZ
- SMART Steel
- Universal TAU M
- TAU XR
- Hercules
Gating Non Redirective End Treatments include:
- Absorb M
- ArmorBuffa
- SLED
- Quash
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