How to Test Traffic Barriers

Test traffic barriers to ensure durability against vehicle impact.

Workers place traffic barriers on roadways to alert vehicles of unusual conditions on the road. This may include a road hazard or work activity that vehicles must steer clear of. Traffic barriers come in many shapes and sizes including plastic drums, wooden barricades, or metal and concrete barriers. If a barrier is struck by a vehicle, the barrier should yield to the impact with any pieces traveling outward to prevent anyone in the vehicle from being hurt. Barriers can be tested to ensure they are built following specifications. Only qualified individuals familiar with traffic barrier specifications should perform these tests.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Testing facility or open area to perform tests
• Small metal cart or four-wheeled framed vehicle
• Ramp system with metal track rails
• Pulley system
• Chock blocks

Instructions

1. Test warning lights on traffic barriers so drivers can see the devices at a distance. Install the battery, checking for any frays or cracks along the wires. The light should show a steady burn at the required distance.

2. Put on safety gloves and run your hands over the retro-reflective tape material on the traffic barrier. Check for peeling, warped surfaces where the material could come off due to rainy weather.

3. Perform impact testing of the traffic barrier in a secure location, such as an indoor test facility or an outdoor open field. Affix the ramp system with metal track rails to guide the test cart or vehicle along a straight path.

4. Place the traffic barrier to be tested at the end of the ramp. Use a pulley system, such as a metal chain or rope attached to the back end of a cart, with the other end secured to a hydraulic system that can pull the cart up the ramp along the tracks, to set it up for the test. Place in chock blocks to prevent the vehicle from moving and remove the metal chain.

5. Pull the chock blocks from the front of the wheels to allow the metal vehicle to descend the ramp and strike the barrier. Check the barrier to note its resistance to the full impact of a vehicle. Perform the simulation with other types of traffic barriers. Adjust the slant of the ramp and add weight to the metal vehicle to perform different test conditions.

References

• United States Department of Labor; Occupational Safety and Health Administration -- Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD); Types of Devices
• U.S. Department of Transportation; Mountain-Plains Consortium -- Simplified Impact Testing of Traffic Barrier Systems (Phase 1); June 2003