Background and Problem Identification

Take advantage of the lessons learned by our Lead States Team as they built the case for CMB programs within their States.

Below are links to some States' information on their own background with Cable Median Barrier.

North Carolina Information

Washington Information

Ohio Information

Texas Information

FHWA Information

Other States' Information

North Carolina Information

General Presentations

• NC Info for Missouri Median Conference 051606 - Slides Updated as of 021407

• NC Median Barrier Info for AASHTO Sub-Committee - June 2006

• North Carolina Mediam Barrier Evaluation

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Washington Information

General Presentations

• Washingtion State Median Treatment Study (March 2002)

• Washington State - Median Barrier Guidelines (Presentation to AASHTO SCOD 6-2006)

• Washington State TIG CMB Presentation (2005)

Folio/Handout

• Washington State Cable Median Handout (1-2004)

Ohio Information

General Information

• Major catalyst to initiate the Barrier Program was a section of Interstate 75 (12-mile section) that had 11 Fatal Across Median Crashes and 14 Fatalities in a 14 month time period.

  Ø Constructed in mid to late 1960’s, Six lanes

  Ø Tangent alignment, or soft curves

  Ø 4 foot paved inside shoulders

  Ø 60 foot median with rounded ditch

  Ø 6:1 median slopes

  Ø 65 mph rural highway with urban sprawl (55 mph for large trucks)

  Ø 95,000 to 72,000 ADT

  Ø High percentage of trucks (20 to 29)

• Public and Political pressures rightfully pushed the cable issues

• Ohio has a total of 1200 Miles of Freeway Sections (310 miles of 84’ median, 170 miles of 60’ median, 120 miles of 50’ median, and 130 miles of 40 median)

• Do to randomness of cross median events, a multi-faceted approach recommend

  Ø Immediate retrofit at safety hot spots

  Ø High Priority – Median width less than 76’ and ADT greater than 36,000

Additional locations – Median width 76’ to 84’ and ADT greater than 26,000 and a crash history

General Presentations

• Ohio Presentation on Cable Barrier
• Ohio Presentation on CMB Systems (10-2004)

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Texas Information

General Information

• Crossover crashes were showing up in the media constantly

• Districts choose the location of barrier placement based on crash history

• Made decision between concrete or cable barrier based off of Truck data

• Is currently in the process of constructing 738 miles of Cable Median Barrier, 94 projects at $156 million

• Also in the process of constructing 85 miles of Cable Median Barrier and Concrete, projects at $30 million

Report/Fact Sheet

• Texas - CMB Background and Facts (3-2007)

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FHWA Information

General Information

• Many State DOT’s were unable to identify across median crash locations

• Information FHWA Knows

  Ø Many cross-median crashes occur on medians over 30’ wide

  Ø Median encroachments are likely to increase with higher traffic volumes

  Ø Cross-over crashes are severe

  Ø Median barriers can significantly reduce cross over crashes

  Ø Barrier selection and placement are critical for optimal performance

• Information FHWA is Working on

  Ø What median width/ADT combinations result in cost-effective warrants?

  Ø How should crash history be considered?

  Ø How will cable, metal-beam or concrete median barriers perform when struck by a vehicle coming up a slope into the barrier?

  Ø When will new warrants be adopted by AASHTO?

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Other States' Information

• Under Construction...

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