Design Of Safer Roadside Structural Elements

Structural design of roadside appurtenances such as signs, lighting posts, and guardrails should be such that they inflict minimum damage to highway users when and if the appurtenances are struck by vehicles. Sign and lighting posts that cannot be located 30 ft from the lane edge can utilize breakaway post details recently developed which cause the post to fail relatively easily when hit by a vehicle. Beam type guard-rail should be blocked out, have 6 ft-3 in. post spacing, and should be anchored. Lateral clearances to bridge piers or abutments should be 30 ft from lane edge when possible. Full approach shoulders should be provided on nearly all bridges. Safety and aesthetics are compatible. A selected bibliography is included.