Performance Evaluation of the Modified G4(1S) Guardrail - Update to NCHRP 350 Test No. 3-11 (2214WB-1)
REPORT NUMBER
TRP-03-168-06
AUTHORS
Karla Lechtenberg (Polivka), Ronald Faller, Dean Sicking, John Rohde, Bob Bielenberg, John Reid
PUBLICATION DATE
2006-10-06
ABSTRACT
Based on the proposed changes to the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report No. 350 guidelines, NCHRP Project 22-14(2) researchers deemed it appropriate to evaluate a strong-post W-beam guardrail systems prior to finalizing the new crash testing procedures and guidelines. For this effort, the modified G4(1S) W-beam guardrail system was selected for evaluation. One full-scale vehicle crash test was performed on the longitudinal barrier system in accordance with the Test Level 3 (TL-3) requirements presented in the Update to NCHRP Report No. 350. For this test, a 2270P pickup truck vehicle, which was a 3/4-ton, two-door vehicle, was used.
The modified G4(1S) W-beam guardrail system, mounted at the metric top rail height of 706 mm (27.75 in.), provided an unacceptable safety performance when impacted by the 3/4-ton, two-door pickup truck, thus failing to meet the proposed TL-3 requirements presented in the Update to NCHRP Report No. 350. This test vehicle was not ultimately recommended for inclusion in the Update to NCHRP Report No. 350.
KEYWORDS
Highway Safety, Roadside Appurtenances, Longitudinal Barriers, W-Beam Guardrail, Crash Test, Compliance Test, NCHRP 350 Update