If you have been wondering, “What is a vehicular barrier?” you’ve come to the right place. This article will discuss how car vehicular barriers work, as well as the types of barrier and their importance. After you’ve finished reading this article, you’ll have a better idea of what a vehicle barrier is and how it can help you and your passengers.Â
How do car vehicular barriers work?
Car vehicular barriers work by directing errant vehicles away from the road. They are installed in the medians of divided highways and prevent errant vehicles from entering the opposing carriageway. Whether they are installed on a highway, a roadway, or a construction site, the barriers are effective in reducing the number of head-on collisions. They are also beneficial in preventing roadside injuries.
Some of the most common vehicle barriers are speed bumps, which are a six-inch-high barrier that forces cars to slow down to two to ten miles per hour. However, these don’t have the stopping power necessary for security concerns. As a result, manufacturers of vehicle barriers have developed different types of barriers that do provide varying degrees of stopping power. There are two main types of speed bumps: wedge barriers and beam barriers. Wedge barriers are usually placed in temporary low-speed zones, but they can also be installed at parking lots and at military bases. They can also be used to protect ticket terminals at parking lots.
Rigid barriers, which are usually made of reinforced concrete, redirect vehicles into a parallel path. These barriers also require minimal maintenance. The redirection of the vehicles reduces the impact energy and may not cause damage to the vehicles. They also work well for low-speed impacts, as their shape lifts the tires. If the barrier is built to a steeper angle, the impact energy may not cause significant damage to the vehicles.
Types of vehicular barriers
When determining whether a security perimeter needs active or passive vehicular barriers, you should first decide what type of barrier best suits your needs. Active barriers restrict access and can pivot, while passive barriers remain stationary. Passive barriers provide crash protection equivalent to their stated rating. A combination of both can protect a perimeter from unauthorized access, depending on the type of barrier. Read on to learn more about the benefits of passive and active vehicular barriers.
Hybrid barriers combine active and passive features to protect pedestrians. Hybrid barriers are also available and are often used for different projects. Some barriers have a passive wedge feature while others have an active beam feature. The type of barrier used for a specific project will depend on the ASTM F2656 crash test method. A vehicle that weighs 5,000 pounds will impact a barrier, and the penetration rating will determine the distance the vehicle makes it past it.
Passive barriers protect against vehicle accidents, but are not effective for traffic control. These barriers absorb energy, transfer it to the foundation, and prevent unauthorized access. Passive crash bollards, for example, are sturdy cylinders planted in the ground. These barriers are useful for temporary traffic control. Portable barriers, on the other hand, are similar to mobile barriers, but are placed on the road. Regardless of how they prevent access to a particular area, they protect the safety of pedestrians and drivers.
The importance of vehicle barrier
The kinetic energy of a vehicle is measured in pounds per square inch (lb/cm2) and is proportional to its speed and weight. The more rapidly a vehicle speeds and decelerates, the greater the energy transfer. As the speed increases, some of the kinetic energy is converted into heat, sound, or deformation of the vehicle. The rest of the energy must be absorbed by the vehicle barrier.
The researchers noted that there should be a direct relationship between the height of a traffic barrier and the severity of the crash. However, no real-time analysis of the relationship between height and crash severity was conducted. Further research is needed to determine which heights offer the best safety for the optimum crash outcome. Further, it is important to note that this study did not include a separate model for end-treatment crashes due to the lack of data.
Hydraulic barriers were first developed in the 1950s to provide sufficient power for heavy plates and quick deployment. However, these barriers were not very reliable because they did not use position sensing, servo valves, or other high-tech features. The hydraulic cylinder opened and closed when it reached the end stops, which is commonly known as bang-bang mode. This bang-bang mode puts great stress on the barrier. In order to compensate for this, hydraulic barriers may be equipped with accumulators that provide additional hydraulic fluid in case of emergency fast operation (EFO).
