Development of an NCHRP report 350 TL-3 New Jersey shape 50-inch portable concrete barrier : executive summary report.

Plaxico, Chuck A.; Kennedy, James C.; Miele, Charles R. · 2006 · ROSA P / Battelle Memorial Institute

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Summary

This study addresses the need for a temporary portable concrete barrier (PCB) that integrates a glare shield to enhance safety in roadside work zones. Existing 32-inch PCBs require separate add-on glare shields, which increase costs and complicate installation. The research aimed to develop a 50-inch tall PCB that serves as its own glare shield, thereby reducing maintenance and inhibiting headlight glare and driver distraction. The primary objective was to create a design meeting the safety criteria of NCHRP Report 350 for Test Level 3 (TL-3). The methodology involved a multi-stage process conducted by the Battelle Memorial Institute for the Ohio Department of Transportation. First, a finite element model of the existing 32-inch PCB was developed and validated against full-scale crash test data. Researchers then identified and evaluated several 50-inch design alternatives using finite element analysis. A critical focus was the pin-and-loop connection system; analyses revealed that standard symmetrical loop arrangements caused excessive joint flexibility and vehicle snagging. Consequently, the final design adopted a "combination arrangement" featuring double-shear connections at the top and bottom and an anti-symmetrical connection in the center to minimize deformation. The design retained the New Jersey shape geometry but increased the face slope by three degrees. Finally, a full-scale crash test was conducted at the Transportation Research Center in Ohio to verify performance under TL-3 conditions. The results demonstrated that the 50-inch PCB successfully passed all NCHRP Report 350 evaluation criteria for Test 3-11. During the impact, the vehicle did not penetrate the barrier and came to rest 165 feet longitudinally and 6.9 feet laterally from the impact point, remaining outside the theoretical work zone. Occupant impact velocities were 14.8 ft/s longitudinally and 20.0 ft/s laterally, with maximum ridedown accelerations of -5.4 g and -8.6 g, respectively. The pin-and-loop connections maintained integrity with negligible deformation, preventing joint opening. The barrier’s height effectively contained debris and prevented vehicle parts from entering the work zone. Compared to the 32-inch design, the 50-inch PCB showed significant improvements in vehicle trajectory stability and work-zone safety. The significance of this research lies in the development of a cost-effective, low-maintenance solution that improves safety for both vehicle occupants and work-zone personnel. The 50-inch PCB eliminates the need for separate glare shields and reduces the risk of debris penetration. The design utilizes standard materials, facilitating efficient implementation. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the Ohio Department of Transportation’s 50-inch PCB as an NCHRP Report 350 TL-3 system, allowing its use on the National Highway System. This approval validates the barrier’s effectiveness and supports its adoption for enhanced work-zone safety.

Key finding

The 50-inch portable concrete barrier passed NCHRP Report 350 Test 3-11 with no vehicle penetration and no noticeable joint deformation, with longitudinal and lateral occupant impact velocities of 14.8 and 20.0 ft/s.

Methodology

modeling

Provenance

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• perceptual countermeasures