Evaluation of Median Barrier Safety Issues

TheAASHTO Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets also contains general median width and median side-slope design guidance that has remained unchanged for many years. Since the vehicle fleet, travel speeds, and traffic volumes have changed dramatically, there is a need to better understand the vehicle dynamics associated with median crossover crashes on high-speed highways in rural and urban areas. In addition to the design guidelines cited, there is a need to better understand median barrier type and placement decisions. State transportation agencies are being pressed to consider revised median designs or installation of median barriers on divided highways to prevent severe, high-speed median-related crashes. The Brifen TL-4 Wire Rope Safety Fence (WRSF) is a four-cable interwoven high tension barrier system. The WRSF has been in use since 1989 and is currently being used in 13 states. Installations on 1-64 and 1-71 are Kentucky's first application of cable barrier systems in medians.