The objectives of this research were to evaluate the performance of temporary asphalt medians for use in two-lane, two-way operations as an alternative to portable concrete barriers and, if appropriate, to develop guidelines for the useof temporary asphalt medians. Use of the temporary asphalt median was evaluatedat one site. The median was installed and removed at least twice as fast as concrete barriers, thereby reducing the time traffic was exposed to such activitiesby at least 50%. There was no difference in the cost per linear foot between the median and the concrete barrier because of the relatively high contract cost for the median compared with median costs in other states. However, use of the median will save a minimum of $40, 000 ($80, 000 on this project) by eliminating theuse of impact attenuators at the concrete barrier end sections. It is expected that the costs will decrease as more medians are used; the cost per linear foot of the median was 40% lower on the second project in virginia using the median. There is no evidence to suggest that the temporary asphalt median directly contributed to any accidents. However, it does appear that the presence of an intersection within two-lane, two-way operation may have been a factor in some accidents. The median performed well. Guidelines were developed for the use of the median. This paper appears in transportation research record no. 1258, Roadside safety 1990.
Samenvatting