CRASH TESTS AND EVALUATION OF HIGHWAY APPURTENANCES--VOLUME 3. MEDIAN BARRIERS AND TERMINALS

The report describes full-scale vehicle impact tests on a median barrier and a terminal for median barriers. The median barrier consisted of two standard corrugated sheet steel beams (W-sections) mounted on the ends of spacers which were in turn mounted on the top of weak posts. This barrier was developed in Europe and has been referred to generically as the SWOV or NEHER barrier. One full-scale 'strength' test (4500-lb (2043 kg), 60 mph (97 km/hr), 25 deg) was conducted on each of two versions of this design. Although each barrier received extensive damage and loose components were thrown into opposing traffic lanes, both barriers contained and redirected the test vehicle in each test.