This publication discusses the traffic engineering, constructional and economic aspects of concrete safety barriers and the application of these structures in the Netherlands. Important issues in this respect are the layout of the central reserve, the traffic safety and the current standards. Various types of concrete barriers are discussed, such as the New Jersey type. The functioning of a concrete safety barrier and the occuring forces in case of a vehicle colliding are considered. Next, the construction and maintenance costs are discussed and a cost comparison of different systems is made. After a discussion of the layout specifications, cast in situ and prefabricated concrete safety barriers, three projects realized in the Netherlands are discussed: a) a cast in situ concrete safety barrier on Dutch state road A67; b) a prefabricated concrete safety barrier on Dutch state road A1; and c) a concrete safety barrier as median safety fence on an urban road in Amsterdam.
Samenvatting