Evaluation of Median Barrier Performance in New Jersey

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Evaluation of Median Barrier Performance in New
Jersey

• Clay Gabler
• Douglas Gabauer
• David Bowen
• Rowan University
• Glassboro, NJ

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Background

• Fatal Cross Median Crash on I-78
• November 20, 2002
• Shutdown I-78 for 3 hours
• Highly Publicized
• NJDOT installed 2 pilot median barriers in
  response

I-78E
I-78W
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Objective

• Evaluate Effectiveness of Pilot Cross-Median
  Barrier Sites

I-78 Site
I-80 Site
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Approach

• State Experience
• Field Accident Investigation
• Computational Modeling

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Accident Experience To Date(9/2003 present)
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I-78 Accident Experience

• Impact 5 (MP 24.4)
• 15 Damaged Posts (175 ft)
• No Penetration
• Vehicle Redirection
• Impact Angle 50?
• Unknown Vehicle Speed

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Summary of Barrier Performance

• I-78 Three-Strand Cable
• 100 Containment
• Passenger Vehicles Only
• Unusually High Accident Rate
• I-80 Modified Thrie Beam
• 100 Containment

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Accident Investigation - Limitations

• Cross-Median Crashes are Rare
• Insufficient Cases for Full Evaluation
• Incomplete Information (no police reports)
• Solution FE Crash Simulations

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Finite Element (FE) Modeling of Median Barrier
Impacts

• Goal Evaluate Broad Range of Median Collisions
  with FE Modeling

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Mesh Generation Thrie Beam

• Model Statistics
• 15-Post Section
• 55,000 Elements
• Soil Model
• Soil Buckets
• Interacts with Post

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Vehicle Models
Large Pickup 2000P Chevy C2500
Small Car 820C Geo Metro
Van Tractor Trailer 36000V
Single Unit Truck 8000S Ford F800
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Computational Modeling of Median Crashes
Validation against TTI Crash Test Feb.
1995 Impact Speed 100 km/hr, Angle 25o
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Acknowledgements

• We gratefully acknowledge the New Jersey
  Department of Transportation and the Federal
  Highway Administration for their support of this
  project.
• Special thanks to Art Eisdorfer, Karen Minch, and
  Nick Vitillo of NJDOT for their contributions to
  this project.

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