Crash Barriers Or Guard Rails: Which is Better?

When we talk about road safety infrastructure, two major names, crash barriers and guard rails, hit our minds. Both of them play a significant role in preventing major accidents. These barriers are designed to minimise the impact of an accident, ensure that vehicles do not move away from the road, reducing the risks of death. However, the question is, which one is better, crash barriers or guard rails? Well, it depends on the situation, usage, and safety requirements.

What Are Crash Barriers?

Crash barriers are modern safety systems installed on highways, medians, bridges, and areas prone to accidents. These barriers are typically made of steel, concrete, or a combination of both materials. The main aim of installing crash barriers is to eliminate and minimise the impact force of a hitting vehicle during an accident.

Steel W-beam crash barriers are extremely popular due to their flexibility and ability to absorb shock. Concrete crash barriers, on the other hand, are hard and are typically installed in areas that require maximum containment, such as central medians.

Advantages of Crash Barriers:

•             High impact resistance

•             Suitable for highways with high speeds

•             Long-lasting and durable

•             Aids in preventing vehicles from crossing into oncoming traffic

What Are Guard Rails?

Guard rails are a kind of roadside safety barrier with only one main function: to prevent vehicles from drifting off the road. They are usually installed on rural roads, sharp curves, mountain roads, and bridges.

Guard rails are mainly made of galvanized steel, but there are also wooden and cable guard rails. However, unlike crash barriers, guard rails are not as strong and are designed to turn vehicles back to the road instead of completely stopping them.

Advantages of Guard Rails

•             Economical choice

•             Faster and easier installation

•             Suitable for moderate-speed roads

•             Flexible and can turn vehicles safely back to the road

Differences between Crash Barriers and Guard Rails

The main difference between the two is their strength and application. Crash barriers are stronger and are usually installed on highways where the speed of traffic is higher and the risk of serious accidents is greater. Guard rails are more suitable for low to medium-speed roads and there is need to keep vehicles on the road and prevent them from moving away from the road.

Crash barriers have higher levels of containment, and guard rails are more of a deflection of the vehicle. Furthermore, concrete crash barriers are maintenance-friendly compared to metal guard rails, which might need repair work in case of an accident.

Which Is Better?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. If the road experiences heavy traffic flow with vehicles travelling at high speeds, then crash barriers are the better option. In rural areas, on curved roads, and in areas with moderate traffic flow, guard rails are sufficient and more cost-effective.