TECHNICAL PAPERS
Mar 18, 2009

Experience with Cable Median Barriers in the United States: Design Standards, Policies, and Performance

Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 135, Issue 10

Abstract

A review of the experience of 23 states on the use and effectiveness of cable median barriers is presented. As of 2007, 23 states have installed more than 4,183 km (2,600 mi) of cable median barriers. Experiences of the pioneering states, such as New York, Missouri, Washington, Oregon, North Carolina and Arizona that initiated the utilization of cable median barrier in the United States are included in this paper. Results of the review show that the use of cable median barriers in depressed medians with moderate slopes had a significant effect on the reduction of cross-median crashes in many states. While these results are encouraging, occasional fatal crossover crashes penetrating the cable barrier still demand attention and improved techniques or procedures for selecting or locating cable median barrier will continue to evolve.

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Published In

Go to Journal of Transportation Engineering
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 135Issue 10October 2009
Pages: 711 - 720

History

Received: Feb 5, 2008
Accepted: Mar 4, 2009
Published online: Mar 18, 2009
Published in print: Oct 2009

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Authors

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M. H. Ray, M.ASCE [email protected]
Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609 (corresponding author). E-mail: [email protected]
C. Silvestri, Ph.D. [email protected]
Dept. of Civil Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609. E-mail: [email protected]
C. E. Conron [email protected]
Ph.D. Scholar, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609. E-mail: [email protected]
M. Mongiardini [email protected]
Ph.D. Scholar, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609. E-mail: [email protected]

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