Performance Evaluation of the Midwest Guardrail System - Update to NCHRP 350 Test No. 3-11 (2214MG-1)
REPORT NUMBER
TRP-03-170-06
AUTHORS
Karla Lechtenberg (Polivka), Ronald Faller, Dean Sicking, John Rohde, Bob Bielenberg, John Reid
PUBLICATION DATE
2006-10-10
ABSTRACT
<p>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 Midwest Guardrail System (MGS) 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 <sup>3</sup>/<sub>4</sub>-ton, two-door vehicle, was used. The MGS system, mounted at the metric top rail height of 787 mm (31.0 in.), provided an acceptable safety performance when impacted by the <sup>3</sup>/<sub>4</sub>-ton, two-door pickup truck, thus meeting 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.</p>
KEYWORDS
<p>Highway Safety, Roadside Appurtenances, Longitudinal Barriers, Guardrail, Crash Test, Compliance Test, NCHRP 350 Update</p>