On the approach to a bridge sits an often overlooked safety element. The approach barrier.
Its role is not just to connect to the bridge barrier. It’s there to protect errant vehicles from hazards, shield the bridge structure itself, and prevent vehicles from entering high risk areas beyond the bridge.
The length of an approach barrier is not arbitrary. It is set by a formal length of need assessment and by the risk posed by what sits beside and behind the approach. For part or all of its length, it must also match the crash performance level of the bridge barrier. Where different performance levels apply, a proper transition is required so stiffness increases in a controlled way and avoids pocketing. And we must finish them with a compliant end treatment.
This is another area where barrier design is far more than a line on a drawing. Getting it right directly affects real world crash outcomes.
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