I am doing some research for a story about our use of wood vs steel guardrail posts. DeWayne Jones has been very helpful in answering my questions.
I have one other question that perhaps someone else should answer. And if that’s not you, will you forward this to that person? Or if it is DeWayne, let me know and I will ask him.
DeWayne provided me with information that indicates steel posts initially cost higher, but they can be recycled and they last longer. The labor to install steel posts is less and crews are safer for that time savings by not being near traffic as long. With the steel posts, One Call is not needed either, resulting in faster response time.
With that said, I am wondering if guardrails with steel posts are stronger and safer than guardrails with wood? Are there any studies that show that?
Thank you!
We have done many studies that relate on some level to this topic over the years and did a TRB paper on it specifically last year.
I have attached several reports and papers related to this topic for your review. The TRR paper from last year on wood vs steel posts in the MGS probably has the most direct answers for you, but the others may be useful as well.
The file 'Wood vs Steel Posts.zip' (73.5 MB) is available for download at
http://dropbox.unl.edu/uploads/20140909/18aa46e220d62216/Wood%20vs%20Steel%20Posts.zip
for the next 14 days.
It will be removed after Tuesday, September 9, 2014.
Take a look at this information and contact me if you have any questions.
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